The Wheels are Turning at Summer Robotics Camps

Discussions about gears, motors and codes was plentiful at a pair of summer robotics camps hosted by the Massapequa School District. The program was expanded this year to include a session for high schoolers.

The longstanding robotics camp for students entering grades 6-9 took place in the Massapequa High School cafeteria from July 29 to Aug. 1. This year featured 52 participants under the direction of technology teachers Matthew Swanson and Michael Spiritis. They worked with Lego robotics kits to learn how to build and program robots before ending the week with a fun battle bots competition.

The week prior, students from the high school robotics team gathered in their practice space on the high school’s lower level to prepare for the upcoming Vex Robotics competition season. The four-day camp, from July 22-25, allowed them to get a jump start on building their robot, which has to perform specific tasks in a 12-foot by 12-foot arena at local competitions. Mr. Swanson said with ambitions of reaching state and national tournaments this year, the early start means they can devote more time during the school year to programming and practice.

“We’re months ahead by having this week in the summer,” Mr. Swanson said.

The Lego robotics camp featured many returning students as well as several newcomers. Students worked with the same robots used in Berner Middle School’s technology classes and robotics clubs. They learned how the movement and programming sensors work so the robots can perform basic functions. As their skills improved, they moved on to challenges, such as programming an arm that could hit a hockey puck.

Each day’s camp was five hours, giving students long blocks of uninterrupted time to explore, tinker, test and improve. The camp promoted critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which also fostering communication and collaboration.

“It’s a lot of problem-solving,” Mr. Swanson said. “They have to write the code, which is like a road map for their robot. They get to be creative, as well.”

Rising eighth graders Sabrina B. and Gianna B. spent much of the time working together. It was Sabrina’s second year attending the camp and Gianna’s first.

“Coding had been a big thing for me,” Sabrina said, noting that her interest began in fifth grade during video game coding project in the Magnet program. “I really like taking my own creative liberties.”

Gianna added that the camp gives her a head start in she plans to explore computer programming as a career.

Ninth grader Thomas F., who attended the camp for the fourth time, said he has returned every year because he likes the competitions, improving his coding skills and making friends who have similar interests.