GREEN COVE SPRINGS – They sat in pairs, one typing on a computer, the other carefully placing a LEGO robot on a track. With a push of a button, the small robot ran along the line … and beyond, …
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS – They sat in pairs, one typing on a computer, the other carefully placing a LEGO robot on a track. With a push of a button, the small robot ran along the line … and beyond, which started the process over again.
The student with the computer was typing a code to direct the robot on a course. It was a process that involved a lot of trial and error, but eventually, the robots went straight, turned left, turned right and followed a zig-zag trail – all done by a keyboard and imagination.
“This is the best part of my summer – working with the kids,” said STEM2Hub instructor Regina Haywood.
STEM2Hub is a program that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The nonprofit rotates between schools in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. In Clay, Haywood works with students from all grades enrolled in the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida Summer Programs, including Clay and Orange Park highs, Orange Park and Wilkinson junior highs, and Grove Park and Keystone Heights elementary schools.
Her stop at Clay involved working with drones, coding and programing robots.
“We teach artificial intelligence, using it in a safe, smart, responsible way,” she said. “We want them to be creative with AI. We expose the students to new and upcoming technology trends. And at the end of summer, we’re going to host a drone competition with the Boys and Girls Club. That’s going to be interesting.”
Haywood said the students become competitive when they immerse themselves in technology.
“It’s fun to watch because they all try to see who can figure it out first,” Haywood said. “They were working on coding the drone and they mastered it pretty fast. Then I threw them a loop like relocating the original path. It’s fun to see them try to figure it out.
“They get so caught up in the moment; the time just flies by. They get so involved, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s my little 8-year-olds or the 15- or 16-year-olds. They’re so innovative.”
On this afternoon, they were transfixed by keeping a LEGO robot on track. It moved three inches forward and ran off course, which forced a few extra keystrokes, and to restart the run - over and over again.
