Not a lot of kids would enjoy an activity on a Saturday that involves homework, but that’s exactly what a group of smart, creative kids chooses to do in the Farmington YMCA’s robotics class.
The Farmington Y launched the class this year after a local company that offers the classes at local schools approached them and asked to do it, says youth director Katrina Stewart. It’s taken off, with as many as 10 kids coming to the Y on Saturday afternoons to build, program, and test their robots. Instructor Fred Paramore gives them homework during the week to reinforce what they learn in class. But the point is the hands-on ways they’re learning programming, math skills, and problem-solving, he says. “At this level, first I ask them if they had fun, then I ask them if they learned something.” He points out that the class reinforces the types of skills that will be increasingly needed for well-paying jobs in the future.
Each Lego Mindstorm robot used in the class costs upwards of $100 and students are expected to buy their own, and each robot needs a computer to program it to perform required tasks. Parents have stepped up to donate robots and bring their own laptops for class use.
“He fell in love with it right away and he’s so excited every week,” says Yan Jiang, whose son Alex is in the class. She and her husband have donated use of their computers and help out extensively in the class.
Maria Krupkin’s twin boys, Samuel and Jacob Aranovich, joined the class recently and were working seamlessly with other boys to program, test and reprogram their robot. “The attention to detail and the patience is very important, especially for boys,” she said. So far the class is all boys, but they are would like to attract more girls to the class as well.
They are hoping to eventually start a robotics team that can compete with other clubs locally. For now, though, the fun is in the learning and in working together with other kids and maybe sparking a dream. “I always wanted to be a scientist, and I thought this would be a good way to start,” says Jonathan Scott, one of the class members.