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Students demo archaeology-themed robotics projects at board meeting
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Summary
Students presented innovation and robot-design projects tied to an archaeology theme, showed a working canopy prototype and a mock "Artifacts" app, and fielded questions from the board; the principal and board praised teamwork and project-based learning.
Students from the Springs Union Free School District showcased robotics and innovation projects during the principal's report, demonstrating hands-on, project-based learning and an archaeology-themed design challenge.
Principal Kelce introduced the segment by saying the program has grown from one team three years ago to multiple teams and emphasized collaboration and student empowerment. Students described an eco-friendly, collapsible canopy designed to protect dig sites from weather and looting, noting the design uses a mix of Kevlar and carbon-fiber materials and solar panels to power a motorized lowering mechanism. One student described an accompanying mock app, "Artifacts," designed to allow archaeologists and the public to catalog finds with graduated access for professional and educational users.
Student speakers included Sofia Rao and Francisco Vasquez, who summarized the project goal as preventing looting and weather-related damage to archaeological digs. Student Henry Sullivan said of his first robotics season, "I learned how to have a speech publicly and perform under pressure," and other team members described scoring strategies and small mechanical innovations that improved performance at competitions.
Why it matters: The presentations highlighted curriculum that blends STEM, research and public engagement, with the board and administration praising students' communication, coding and engineering skills. Principal Kelce and board members invited the in-person audience to view models and recognized seniors moving to high school.
The board also noted the LTV feed will post the presentation to YouTube for families who want to view a fuller video of the demonstrations.
