St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School

Classes Offered at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School

This winter robotics class will be offered and taught by Rocks and Robots on Wednesdays from 2:15-3pm. The session is 8 weeks long. START DATE: TBD

Robotics with LEGO Mindstorms: Grades 3-8th

Using the LEGO Mindstorms NXT robot kits, students will become familiar with the fundamentals of computer programming. Using a powerful icon based, drag and drop computer language that is easy to learn for many different types of learners. Students use this language to combine basic elements called icons (analogues to functions and subroutines) including motion control and sensor icons to build programming that exhibit "intelligent" behavior. Students will program their robots to follow multi-step programs to drive in different patterns. They will also integrate sensors into their programs so that their robots can interact with their surroundings.

Ultrasonic (using echo location) and light sensors give the robot "vision" capability. These "vision" sensors enable your robot to detect, avoid or seek objects as well as to measure distance, light level and to detect movements. The touch sensor gives their robots a sense of touch, by detecting when it is being pressed by something and when it is released again. Finally, the sound sensor enables the robot to respond to sounds like alarm signals, voice commands and even quiet.

All of these sensors along with individualized challenges teach students to think outside the box, challenge their minds and prepare them for the world of technology.

This winter robotics class will be offered and taught by Rocks and Robots on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm. The session is 8 weeks long. DATES: October 14th to December 2nd

LEGO Physics: Grades 3-8th

Lego’s and physics? If you like Lego’s and want to know how to build creations that help you understand forces and motion, simple machines, measurement, energy, magnetism and more? Then this class is for you. Using Science and Technology LEGO Engineering kits, students will work in pairs and each student will assemble part of a model. Students will then joint their parts to complete the building project. Of course we will not be building from just the provided set of instructions, students will experiment with their own designs to complete challenges that incorporate physical science principals. Extra LEGO pieces may be brought in as an addition to the kits to encourage creating new designs. LEGO = fun = learning!