The Bear Creek School sponsored a week-long robotics camp for sixth through ninth graders in mid-July.

The camp was open to students from any schools. Eleven students from The Bear Creek School attended and one student from Odle Middle School participated.

Students worked in pairs using LEGO Mindstorms NXT kits and computers to build, program and control robots with various sensors. Adapted from a self-paced course prepared by the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, students were introduced to the basics of the NXT as it teaches science, engineering and mathematics.

They had opportunities to complete at least five investigations involving partial inquiry and guided research, problem-solving and documenting what they learned.

Specifically, they were able to program the robot to move forward, turn, stop and start using the sound sensor and change the robot’s speed.

Students used the First Lego League’s 2007 Mission Challenge: Power Puzzle, programming robots to perform energy-related tasks.

Nick Prekeges was the winner of the final competition, earning more points for the tasks his robot completed in 2.5 minutes than any of the other competitors.

Juniors Carson Baker and Dillon Camp assisted teacher Linda Graham and other campers throughout the week.