The Power of Robotics: The Middle School Robotics Team

As our world becomes more digital and automated, the skills we teach our students need to be tailored to the future careers when our students graduate into the work force. Many of those positions will be in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). STEM continues to evolve and play a huge role in the future of our world. STEM education creates critical thinkers, instills a passion for innovation, and develops creative problem-solving skills. The Willows believes not only in the importance of STEM but in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and incorporates them throughout the curriculum in all grades in an integrated approach.

The Willows offers many opportunities for students to pursue these types of classes. One major program The Willows offers is the Robotics team. Every fall, The Willows Robotics team is open to any Middle Schooler. From September to November, those on the Robotics team meet roughly twice a week to prepare for the First Lego League Robotics competition in November. The friendly competition consists of teams engaging in researching, problem solving, coding, and engineering – building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game.

The Willows Robotics team provides an opportunity for students to develop real world skills. As a school community, The Willows offers a wide variety of experiences for students to try and explore.

Having a Robotics team that is inclusive to all, exposes students who may have never thought about it before. These little experiences may lead them to pursue something in STEM in the future. For example, check out Willows alum Isis and her Stella 5.0 App and Alums Julianne Hannon and Eliza Kaplan on the Robotics team at Marlborough High School. Being on the Robotics team provides them real exposure to what careers and jobs look like in that field.

Wendy Amster, Dean of Ed Tech and Robotics team Coach, says, “It’s more than just a robotics team. There’s the component that many of us think of when we hear robotics, the building and programing of the robot to accomplish mission, but there’s also a research component which is equally weighed. The research component requires students to research about a real-world problem and to develop an idea, speak to experts, make a model, and pitch their ideas. This is STEM in the real world.”

Erin Carter, Middle School teacher and Robotics team Coach, says, “STEM education is so important in general. This is just one facet of STEM. It exposes students to a wide range of real-world applications and opens up many possibilities of where this interest can take them in the future.”

So whether or not our students pursue a career in STEM or robotics, The Willows understands the myriad interests of our student body. Our goal is to create a place for individuals to explore and to find their passion.