Our Engineering Programs
Gizmos and Gadgets:
Want to design and build an invention? Have you ever heard about a ‘Rube Goldberg’ contraption?
In this class we learn about:
- Simple machines
- Energy
- Forces
- Motion
- Electricity
- Motors
We use what we learn to build our own "Rube Goldberg" style contraptions.
Designing Minds:
Learn how to design and build amazing devices and structures. Utilize natural energy resources and use everyday materials to create useful inventions. Build bridges and catapults, turn mouse-traps into race cars and water bottles into power boats!
In this class we study the following concepts:
- Strength
- Stability
- Compression
- Tension
- Torsion
- Friction
- Propulsion
- Buoyancy
- Flight
The final challenge of this class will be to create an invention using your imagination and components from the Mystery Box!
Robotics:
Our robotics program uses the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robotic kit to introduce mechanical engineering and programming concepts to elementary and middle school children. We teach them the physics of building strong and stable LEGO structures while focusing on topics like weight distribution, power distribution, wheel placement, and gear ratios.
The NXT-G programming interface allows kids to experiment with the concepts of computer programming by using a graphical interface that is easy to understand but is capable of creating complex algorithms to control the flow of the program.
By combining solid construction techniques and programming skills with creativity and imagination, children will learn important concepts fundamental to modern-day robotic science such as power source, actuation, sensing, manipulation, and locomotion . Most importantly, they will have a blast doing it!
In this class we learn about:
Introduction to Robotics- Naming, measuring, and organizing LEGO TECHNIC parts
- Understanding the brick, motors, sensors
- Strategies for building sturdy structures
- Using gears effectively
- Weight and power distribution
- Friction
- Using wheels vs. using treads/legs and where to place them
- Flow charts
- Basic programming blocks and using the NXT-G interface
- Loops, conditions
- Programming with sensors
- Advanced topic - Using variables
- Advanced topic - Using MyBlocks
- Advanced topic - Multitasking
- Advanced topic - When to use move block vs. motor block
- Advanced topic - What affects the accuracy and consistency of the robot
- After learning the concepts of construction and programming, the students are ready for a real life experience.
Students are challenged to design complex robots that can autonomously accomplish complex real life missions. The challenges change every year.