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Clover middle- and high-school robotics teams showcase engineering work; Duke Energy brings Spot robot to meeting
Summary
Students from Clover Middle and Oak Ridge Middle presented Project Lead the Way and competitive robotics work to the board, while a Duke Energy engineer demonstrated a four-legged Spot robot and described utility use cases. Donors helped expand team capacity.
Clover School District students and teachers showcased robotics work on Monday, with Project Lead the Way (PLTW) classes and competitive teams from Clover Middle School and Oak Ridge Middle School presenting their designs, and Duke Energy demonstrating a Boston Dynamics Spot unit used for industrial inspections.
The presentation began during the superintendent’s report when Dr. Quinn introduced the district’s PLTW robotics programming. Jackie Osterhout, who teaches the PLTW robotics class at Oak Ridge Middle, told the board the courses "are open to all eighth grade students, regardless of prior experience," and described the classroom progression from basic mechanisms and gear ratio study to programming and student-designed projects. Student teams described builds and competition results, including robotics teams that advanced to semifinal rounds and teams that placed in the top 16 at regional events.
Virginia Mayberry, head coach for the Clover Middle School robotics program, said VEX teams are student-led and emphasized notebook-driven engineering work and autonomous programming. Mayberry and student presenters described hardware choices — such as 11-watt motors, pneumatic clamps and turntable gear assemblies — and cited iterative improvements that raised match rankings during the season.
Casey Roberts, identified as a development manager in Duke Energy’s Emerging Technologies Office, brought a Spot demo to the meeting and explained how the utility uses such robots. Roberts said Spot can operate autonomously or by remote interface, and carries thermal cameras, 360-degree imaging and lidar to inspect electrical equipment and hot spots. "The best thing to do is to put use a tool versus putting someone in harm's way," Roberts said, describing Spot’s use inside high-risk areas where human entry would require specialized protective procedures.
Robotics coaches acknowledged community and corporate support. The teams said Clear Air Filters donated $6,500 to buy competition robot kits and support coach professional development, enabling the program to expand from three to five teams. The teams also listed other corporate assistance; the precise amount reported for one name-checked donor at the meeting was not specified.
Board members applauded the students and thanked volunteers who visit classrooms to discuss careers. The demonstrations concluded before the board moved on to other agenda items.
The presentations highlighted ongoing district efforts to expand career and technical education and to connect students with industry partners; coaches said the experience aims to teach engineering design, programming, collaboration and workplace skills.
