Students build prototype robot to transport supplies across school campus

The Cheshire School District Board of Education held an engaging showcase on March 20, 2025, highlighting a robotics program designed for fourth and fifth graders. The initiative aimed to teach students about engineering principles through hands-on experience in building and programming a two-wheeled robot capable of transporting materials around the school campus.

During the presentation, educators explained the engineering challenge posed to students: to design a robot that could navigate various terrains and obstacles while being user-friendly for teachers and staff. This project not only encouraged teamwork but also involved a comprehensive engineering design process, where students learned to brainstorm, prototype, and test their creations.

The students utilized kits from True Robotics, which included various components and instructions for building their robots. The construction process took approximately two 45-minute class sessions, during which students faced challenges that required them to backtrack and troubleshoot their designs. This iterative process fostered critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

In addition to building the robots, students engaged in block coding to program their creations. They learned to navigate a coding interface, save their programs, and upload them to the robots. The educators emphasized the importance of patience and perseverance as students encountered programming hurdles, such as robots spinning in circles instead of moving as intended.

The showcase also highlighted the concept of three-dimensional learning, which integrates engineering practices with cross-cutting concepts and core ideas. This approach encourages students to actively engage in their learning, fostering inquiry-based exploration and real-world problem-solving.

Videos presented during the showcase demonstrated students successfully programming their robots to complete tasks, such as navigating pathways and avoiding obstacles using ultrasonic sensors. These accomplishments underscored the program's effectiveness in teaching students valuable skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Overall, the robotics program exemplifies the Cheshire School District's commitment to innovative education, equipping students with essential skills for the future while making learning an interactive and enjoyable experience.