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Middle-schoolers build robots for military Date published: 4/4/2006
Students at John J. Wright Middle School were on Lego detail.
A group watched as a computer-operated robot, made out of plastic blocks, carried out commands. The robot had been built and programmed to gather a cluster of brown objects scattered on a game board the size of a pingpong table. The targets are supposed to be land mines. The robot lurched forward, its arms spread wide, closing in on the objects. For a moment, it looked like the mission was going to be successful. But the robot was too close to the wall when it turned. Instead of skimming the board enclosure, the arm broke off. The group went back to the computer to try to figure out what went wrong and fix the problem. This is the essence of N-Star, "Naval Research--Science and Technologies for America's Readiness," at the middle-school level. The program was launched last year in Stafford schools by the Department of the Navy. Science and engineering staffers for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, serve as mentors. This year, Spotsylvania and King George middle schools are participating. The students will demonstrate their robots' ability April 13 at Dahlgren. The Navy's goal is to generate enthusiasm for math and science that will lead students to pursue careers in science and engineering. "There is a deficiency. We are falling behind in the world," said Dahlgren scientist Aaron Kota, who helps with the project at John J. Wright. Kota collaborates with math and science teachers. The students who are participating in the project were randomly selected. They just happened to be taking relevant math or science classes that would help with the project, explained instruction and technology teacher Pete Zicari. "For the most part, there are a number of students who seem really excited, and they are asking questions and showing interest," he said. In addition to working with the robots, the students are learning about the issue of land-mine removal around the world. Each group researched a country that has land mines. They had to discover the country's topography, the location of the mines and their construction. There are 13 groups of four students. Each group consists of two builders and two programmers. Science teacher Rita Truelove is excited to see that her students' problem-solving skills are soaring. She is also seeing students coming out of their comfort zone. Builders are suggesting changes to programmers and vice versa. They are learning from each other. In some cases, students are overcoming fears. "He begged me not to make him a programmer," said Truelove, referring to one of the students. "I've never been good with computers," explained eighth-grader James Acors, 14, as he worked the computer keys. "And what do you think of it now?" his teacher asked. "It rocks." To reach KATHLEEN LEWIS:
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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