Robotics and robotic coding were the teaching tools used this summer at Columbia High School’s summer reading program.
Funded through the 21st Century Federal grant funds, the school used a STEM approach to encourage growth in reading and writing by offering a hands-on approach to building and coding robots.
STEM-science, technology, engineering and mathematics are designed to offer students an exciting way to grow academically through reading and math.
The four-week long summer program, two weeks in June and two weeks in July, was open to all students and challenged them with opportunities to expand their knowledge in STEM experiments in robotics, engineering and coding. Through the experiments, students were able to build their own robots.
More than 50 students attended the program. Ten teachers from Columbia High taught the students, and the program was directed by Julia Foxworth. The students received small group instructions in math and reading. The teachers worked with the students through personal growth workshops and the students also attended ACT prep courses.
According to Foxworth, the students were able to pick and choose which experiments and coding workshops they wanted to attend.
“Through the building of the robots and coding them, it allowed the students to grow in their reading and mathematics,” she said. “When students face challenges in their academic year, they are prepared with the growth mindset they cultivated over the summer.”
The students took field trips, including one to Canton to the Nissan plant to see how robotics can be used in the real work world.
Student Worth Novinski said it was a lot of fun to be able to study and build robots.
At the beginning of the program Friday, awards were given to students who excelled and improved through the four weeks. According to Foxworth, 57 percent of the students showed growth in just under four weeks.
“I am extremely proud of the students and teachers,” Columbia High School Principal Braxton Stowe said. “Everyone worked hard this summer.”
The program ended with a robotics and coding competition. The small groups each had an opportunity to create robots. One was designed for pushing items, one for a catapult and one for an obstacle course. The groups were given special points for extra things coded on the robots such as lights or sound. The robots were directed through a smart phone or tablet.
The students at the competition gathered around each of their robots to see how well and fast the robots would do the assigned tasks.
Pictured Above: Teacher Derek McCoy, left, scores the robot built by Bella Scarborough, Madison Hobgood and Hunter Barrett. | Photo by Susan Amundson
