Experiences

Robot challenge

Mº Jesús Rabadán Serrano

Spain

High Secondary School

Technology

Extracurricular activity

Direct

Learning difficulties:
Lack of motivation
Difficulty in applying the theoretical concepts
Difficulties abstraction
Lack of autonomy

In my department, we work usually using the method of project-based learning. We believe this method is the best for teaching technology.
The experience that I want to contribute held last year with students from 1 baccalaureate (16 years). We participate in a contest for robots, "Robot Challenge", organized by the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
The contest specified that you had to build a group of robots, 10 maximum, they should perform a "dance" and they could make a choreography between them.
The development was carried out as a project throughout the course. Students performed the project planning.
in each quarter, they developed a part to integrate them finally.
Robots had to develop its electronics, the mechanics and computer control to synchronize.
The contest encouraged the students much they had to investigate and acquire extra curricular knowledge to develop the robots.
The end result was four robots representing jazz musicians and they moved in sync to the sound of music.
The students won the first prize so much self-esteem and increase their interest in learning.
As important than learning science, students need to learn to work in a community, thereby taking on social responsibilities. When students take responsibility, or ownership, for their learning, their self-esteem soars. It also helps to create better work habits and attitudes toward learning.