Students Put Summer Camp Lessons Into Practice
Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero
John Tyler High School physics teacher Joshua Bush (left) gives programming suggestions to Eduardo Serratos as he programs his robot during TISD’s GEAR UP robot program at Boulter Middle School on Thursday.
By ASHLIE OSBURN
Staff Writer
Six students sat concentrating on the functions and commands needed to maneuver through the maze on Thursday, working frantically to program their robots in time for the camp’s last challenge.
Staff Writer
Six students sat concentrating on the functions and commands needed to maneuver through the maze on Thursday, working frantically to program their robots in time for the camp’s last challenge.
In partnership with The University of Texas at Tyler’s GEAR UP summer program, Tyler Independent School District instructors taught a three-week robotics camp for John Tyler High School Students at Boulter Middle School.
“We want them to see a real application of math and science they are exposed to in the classroom, and hopefully see that there is meaning in what they’re learning,” said Blake Helm, camp instructor and TISD facilitator of K-12 mathematics.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded UT Tyler a $3.1 million grant for its Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).
Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero
Devin Reese,16, works on his robot. The programming part of the exercise teaches problem solving and the logic of programming without going into the specific semantics of a computer language.
The program provides summer educational camps to schools with at least 50 percent low-income students to encourage attending college and success, Dr. Peggy Gill, director of GEAR UP, said previously.
During the last day of camp, students tested and retested their programming for at least two hours, adjusting each robotic part and command in hopes of completing a zigzag cardboard obstacle course lining the walkway.
“I found the solution,” 15-year-old Antonio White said, smiling as his robot moved forward.
Instructors explained concepts of ratios pertaining to gearing and RMP’s, probability, programming, problem solving and the consistency of mechanical movement verses manual, Helm said.
Through hands-on application and testing of these concepts, students programmed robots to detect specific colors using light sensors, to make decisions to move in certain directions and other calculated actions.
“We compete with each other and it’s fun, but at the same time, it’s challenging,” said 14-year-old Eduardo Srratos.
After multiple attempts to get commands in the correct order, students stood outside holding their robots, waiting for a chance to show off their work and attempt to complete the course.
When each student had taken his turn and the course remained undefeated, instructors calmly encouraged them to persevere and solve potential problems, not only with robots but throughout their lives as well.
“Failure is only an opportunity to let you succeed,” said Joshua Bush, John Tyler science instructor.
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