Celebrating Success Together - Robotics Team and Long Hill Students Interact
Written by Jennifer Macchiarelli on June 04, 2003
Earlier in the season, the Shelton High School Robotics Team made a trip to Long Hill Elementary School with robots from seasons past, Talon III and Bolt, to give a demonstration to the children.
The team was also present to mark the beginning of the "Read Across America Program" in the elementary school. The children were to participate in the Reading Incentive program and read a certain number of books in order to attend the ice cream social that was held at a follow-up meeting in June.
The Gaelhawks were greeted by a gymnasium filled with anxious elementary school children who cheered as the team members entered through the center aisle. The event began with an informative introduction by team advisors Mr. Niski and Mr. Schmecker. They gave a brief overview, slide show of the program, and explained the function of the Talon III.
After the demonstration, each team member branched out to an individual classroom to answer any remaining questions about the team and also to read a book to the class in order to kick off the school?s reading program.
On June 4, 2003, the Gaelhawks returned with a warm welcome from the children, their teachers, and the school?s principal. The trip was to both celebrate the achievements of the Long Hill Elementary school children who met their principal?s reading criteria and the success of the Gaelhawks in both regional and national competitions.
The team and children once again gathered in the gymnasium, this time to indulge in a frosty treat, some ice cream, and also watch a demonstration of the Talon IV, this year?s competition robot, controlled by high school seniors and team captains Dave Wickers and Soren Ibsen. As Wickers and Ibsen smoothly controlled the robot, and commanded the Talon IV to pick up containers and stack them, the excited children cheered and clapped.
When asked by Mr. Niski, the children responded that they had read numerous books in the genre of nature, science, dinosaurs, biographies, fiction, and non-fiction. A few even read about robots. Toward the end of the demonstration, a some children were called up at random to learn how to control the robot. Wickers and Ibsen interacted with the children, allowing them to operate the robot on their own, including driving Talon IV around, picking up boxes, and stacking them.
At the end of the program Ms. Arpin, Long Hill School Principal, was asked about her reaction the Robotics Program. "Robotics is awesome" she commented. "I hope that the high school in my town will have a program because it is absolutely wonderful. The students involved in it are great, really very motivating and also did a great job." She was also proud to relate that over 400 students at Long Hill School met the reading requirement, meaning that more than 80 percent of the student population had reached their goals. When asked about the Gaelhawks? visit to the elementary school, she enthusiastically said, "I think that the Robotics Team got everybody motivated and created a high interest level?" and "I have great hopes that at least some will leave [L.H.S.] with the desire to pursue the science area because we need more students motivated in science and math. I know programs like Robotics and science technology will help get more interested in high school and college."
It was evident from the mood and energetic atmosphere in the gymnasium that the Shelton High School Robotics Team and the children of Long Hill Elementary School both enjoyed the two trips to the school. In the past, The Robotics Team has also traveled to other elementary schools in Shelton. This interaction between current team members and advisors of the Gaelhawks and young educational community in Shelton, is a vital element to increase support, interest, and participation in this ever growing and successful science and technology program.
