Computer science projects teach eighth graders robotics and resilience

Samantha Vargas and Emerson Dazi couldn’t help but smile as the robot they programmed together drew hexagons on their paper.  

On just their first day working with the robots, the students worked through initial challenges by trial and error to attain this success. “Working with robots is fun and unique. I didn’t know you could code a robot to draw whatever you want,” shared Vargas. 

This exercise is part of a 10-week project students in eighth grade computer science explorations have been working on with computer science and special education teacher Evan Lally.  

The project started out with what the class calls robot curling; students had the goal of getting their robot to a target area and had to navigate around other robots. Second, students programmed the robots to draw, coming up with a variety of shapes and patterns. Using these new skills, students worked together to guide the robot through a maze. These sections of the project were completed using a Cue Robot, which allows students to practice increasingly advanced programming.  

Next, students got comfortable with Edison Robots, which have more autonomous abilities including sensing lines and walls. Students added Lego-like pieces to customize their work. Some students completed a second maze, using the first robot to lead the second through a maze.  

How do the students achieve this? 

“It’s up to them,” shared Lally. “This is what I love about all kinds of robotics and computer science. There are a thousand ways to get from point A to point B. The students use their own creative process, teamwork, trial and error, and pattern recognition to find a unique solution.” 

In their sixth and seventh grade computer science classes, students focused on learning the basics through programs like Scratch, a visual programming language. This year, students enjoyed working hands-on with the new technology.  

“At first, I didn’t want to take computer science, but Mr. Lally brings it to life,” shared Dazi.  

This is the first eighth grade class to attend computer science, and Lally is impressed with their progress and the resilience they’ve built through trial and error.  

He shared that some students even began working with micro:bit technology, programming the robots to follow a light. The program received a grant to bring more of this technology into the classroom next year. Eighth graders will continue to build their skills as the program expands to high school classes in the fall.