Elementary students learn robotics

  • Published
  • By Bud Cordova
  • Nucleus Staff Writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  The top 30 teams out of 72 for the Air Force Research Laboratory La Luz Academy Robotics Challenge gathered to compete for the top spot on May 11.


"The teams accumulate points based off online quizzes, team assignments, and through community give-back events," said AFRL La Luz Academy director Ronda Cole.


Those points are what qualify teams for the final competition.


"It's been very informative and is a very good experience," said Amber Garcia, part of team "Real Steel" from Mesa View Elementary in Grants.


At the competition the teams were tested on their knowledge of programming through a quiz bowl in the style of "Jeopardy." Then the students showcased their robot's talents by making it sing or dance.


The students designed, built and programed the robots for the competition as a team. Some of the robots used measurement-based programming, while others used sensors to complete obstacles.


"Getting to build the robot is the part I like the best," said Gweneth King from Mesa View Elementary.


Also there were four courses each team had to complete to gather points. Each level was color-coded green, blue or black, and then there were the 3-D obstacles.


Green and blue were the easiest levels, where the robot had to go around colored squares. The black puzzle required a team's robot to zigzag through a theoretical minefield.


The hardest challenge the teams faced was the 3-D course. Composed of a set of four obstacles and teams got points for completing one. They were able to gain extra connection points if they completed two 3-D obstacles in a row.


A team of researchers from the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate designed the 3-D challenge.


"The best part about today was watching the kids sit and try to figure out how to get through everything," said AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate and 3-D course obstacle co-designer 2nd Lt. Stephen Philips.


This is the first year to compete for the team "High Voltage," composed of home-school students.


"This is all pretty new and has been a lot of trial and error for them," said Vanessa Alter, coach and a parent for "High Voltage."


Throughout the day the teams and the mentors voted on which robot they liked the best, based on a numbered picture of the robot in costume for the Robot Pageant. The costumes ranged from R2D2 of Star Wars to Bender from Futurama.


"The whole reason for this is to get kids excited about science, engineering, math and technology," Cole said.