16/Nov/2008
Northwestern Middle Students Learn the Science of Robotics
By Emily Holden
You can’t fool Debbie Usie’s eighth grade robotics class. Even a postmarked and worn envelope with a note signed by Stephen King won’t trick them - but it might rouse them of out boredom. This must have been Usie’s plan when she convinced her class that King wrote a short story for them to use as a project.
“You’re faking this! You’re faking this!” one student screamed.
Usie told students to program their robots to follow the main character’s actions. The character, Buelah, was supposed to spin around three times, look left and right, walk into the forest and cry. She also assigned her students the task of writing the story’s mysteriously missing second page.
“I don’t want her sensor motor cut up in little bitty pieces by an ax,” Usie warned the class.
“Can we cut her arm off?” one student replied.
Usie teaches two sections of robotics, each with about ten students. Because the course was not planned until after students scheduled, guidance counselors placed students who excelled in science in the class.
When Usie polled her students, almost all agreed they had no idea what the class entailed on the first day of school. All students enthusiastically agreed that they now understand and enjoy the class.
Serious thinking
The robotics class isn’t just for fun. It even has some eighth graders thinking seriously about college plans.
“This class has really opened my eyes,” Justin Ryan said. “I’m going to try to go to U.L.L and go to their robotics program.”
Usie said Ryan is one of her brightest students because he is very mechanical. She helps Ryan with side projects so he is constantly challenged in class. He is currently trying to program his robot to use an ultrasonic sensor to scoop up other objects.
Students usually program their robots in groups. The all-girls group was the first to show progress with the project.
Justin Thomas moved to Zachary from California this summer and was unable to choose any of his classes. He was first placed in keyboarding, but switched to robotics when he proved he could type.
“[Robotics] won’t drive me crazy and make me bored,” Thomas said. “She lets us have fun.”
Usie will start teaching a new group of students in January because robotics is a one-semester course. Most of her current students are planning to take either forensics or art next semester.
By Emily Holden
You can’t fool Debbie Usie’s eighth grade robotics class. Even a postmarked and worn envelope with a note signed by Stephen King won’t trick them - but it might rouse them of out boredom. This must have been Usie’s plan when she convinced her class that King wrote a short story for them to use as a project.“You’re faking this! You’re faking this!” one student screamed.
Usie told students to program their robots to follow the main character’s actions. The character, Buelah, was supposed to spin around three times, look left and right, walk into the forest and cry. She also assigned her students the task of writing the story’s mysteriously missing second page.
“I don’t want her sensor motor cut up in little bitty pieces by an ax,” Usie warned the class.
“Can we cut her arm off?” one student replied.
Usie teaches two sections of robotics, each with about ten students. Because the course was not planned until after students scheduled, guidance counselors placed students who excelled in science in the class.
When Usie polled her students, almost all agreed they had no idea what the class entailed on the first day of school. All students enthusiastically agreed that they now understand and enjoy the class.
Serious thinking
The robotics class isn’t just for fun. It even has some eighth graders thinking seriously about college plans.
“This class has really opened my eyes,” Justin Ryan said. “I’m going to try to go to U.L.L and go to their robotics program.”
Usie said Ryan is one of her brightest students because he is very mechanical. She helps Ryan with side projects so he is constantly challenged in class. He is currently trying to program his robot to use an ultrasonic sensor to scoop up other objects.Students usually program their robots in groups. The all-girls group was the first to show progress with the project.
Justin Thomas moved to Zachary from California this summer and was unable to choose any of his classes. He was first placed in keyboarding, but switched to robotics when he proved he could type.
“[Robotics] won’t drive me crazy and make me bored,” Thomas said. “She lets us have fun.”
Usie will start teaching a new group of students in January because robotics is a one-semester course. Most of her current students are planning to take either forensics or art next semester.
