Whittier Elementary Science Fair

Last week Whittier Elementary had a science fair, and a few of us Technically Learning folks went along to help demo some LEGO robotics. Our goals were to show off the great work that some of the students have been doing and to get more students, parents, and teachers interested in using these robots as a learning tool. The school gym was jam packed with hundreds of people eating ice cream from the Ice Cream Social and checking out all the science project posters. We were literally up on center stage, with several robots running around. The line-following robot was a big hit, as was the gear demo that used color wheels. Several of the older students were working on fun little robots to avoid walls using distance sensors and to turn around exactly 180 degrees and come back to them. I had a fun time, even though talking to some many people and trying to keep up with the kids tired me out a bit. I do enjoy watching the students interact with the robots and get excited about problem solving. It's fun to see them figure out how the robot works. Their eyes just light up with the discovery. And you have to love science fairs. Anything that stresses the importance of science to a solid education is alright by me.