Robotics engineering encourages trial-and-error, teamwork in after school program

There are no wrong answers on Mondays after the last bell rings at St. Joseph Catholic School.

In fact, it's when wrong answers are encouraged.

Every Monday from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m., about 16 students, grades three through six, gather for a robotics engineering program. The program teaches students how to build and program LEGO robotics. Two instructors from Engineering for Kids host the course.

The goal is to discover how things work through trial and error and celebrate success while working in teams.

"There are no wrong answers. If you build it wrong you've learned what not to do. Wrong answers lead you where to go. Mistakes are not a bad thing," said John Walty, instructor for Engineering for Kids.

Every class presents a new project that increases in complexity as the weeks advance. Each project consists of a motor, processor and sensor component.

Students have programmed motion for a LEGO carousel, a race car finish line, a Ferris wheel and a spinning top.

Robotics engineering is in line with science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, commonly known by its acronym, STEM.

"It's just a different way to introduce them to (the fact) that they can have success in these subject areas," said LaRhonda Bennett, program director of Engineering for Kids.

"It's very hands-on learning," said Walty. "These guys are getting a big head start. They are learning that the world is animated. It's all instructions."

This is the first time a robotics program has been taught at St. Joseph's Catholic School. Principal Linda Cooney learned of Engineering for Kids at the St. Joseph rummage sale, where she met Walty.

After the current session ends, another will begin after December. Cooney said she plans to continue the program for years to come.

"We hope that it increases kids' desire to explore engineering as a career option, while motivating them to learn math and science concepts in different ways," said Cooney.

"It lights kids up," said Walty.

T.J. Curry, a sixth-grader, said adding electricity to LEGOS through the robotics program is "really cool" compared to playing with traditional LEGOS.

"When it's finally done it's really fun to play with because it moves," said fourth-grader Andrew Szews.

"If you want to become an engineer, it's really good because it helps your skills," said sixth-grader Vincent Ingrilli.