The Southborough library is offering a new bi-weekly series for kids in grades 4-7 this fall — Introduction to Robotics & Engineering. The free program is led by a local high school student.
The sessions are on Saturday afternoons, starting September 19th. Each of the four classes has a different theme. Registration for each is separate, which also means that kids don’t have to commit to attending all four.
Sessions will take place on the following Saturday afternoons from 2:00–3:00 pm. (Use links below to register.):
Design It, Build It, Break It: The Engineering Challenge — September 19th
How do engineers turn an idea into something that actually works? Students will tackle hands-on engineering challenges while learning how real engineers brainstorm, prototype, test, and improve their designs through an interactive experience! Teams will have to work within design constraints, test their ideas, and redesign when things don’t go according to plan!
How Robots Move Things: Mechanisms and Motion! — October 3rd
Robots need mechanical systems to move, lift, grab, push, pull, and transport objects. In this hands-on workshop, students will investigate how mechanisms such as gears, wheels, levers, pulleys, and arms allow robots to perform different tasks. Students will experiment with different mechanisms and design a solution to a mechanical challenge.
Coding Robots: Intro to Programming + Problem Solving — October 17th
How do you tell a robot what to do? Students will learn the basics of robotics programming through interactive, block-based coding. They will use a virtual robot to navigate challenges, solve problems, and debug programs while learning about sequences, loops, conditions, and algorithms. No previous programming experience is required.
How Robots See: Sensors + Automation — October 31st
How can a robot navigate and make decisions without someone controlling every movement? Students will explore how robots use sensors to detect their surroundings and respond to changes in the environment. Through interactive experiments and virtual robotics challenges, students will learn how sensors, programming, and mechanical systems work together to create autonomous robots.
