The popular event attracted students from 19 schools across Long Island.
What gets middle schoolers excited about math and science? The answer— robots.
Students from 19 schools on Long Island got to show off their math, science and engineering skills at the fourth annual LEGO Middle School Robotics Competition held at Adelphi University on May 7, 2016. More than100 students split into 35 teams and put their handmade robots through various challenge rounds and obstacles.
FiOS 1 News Long Island was on hand to cover the competition and interviewed multiple students and volunteers.
Robert Alder, an Island Park sixth grader said in his interview, “I like this competition; it gives me a chance to really show what I know and experiment with different ideas in robotics. I’ve really learned a lot.”
Students at the LEGO Middle School Robotics Competition
It’s competitions like this that spark the minds of students who are curious about the STEM (science, math, engineering and mathematics) fields.
“It’s really programs like this that are trying to bring about that interest,” explained Joe Reed, a volunteer from the Adelphi Scholar Teacher Education Program (STEP). “To get the kids right at the foundation in the elementary school level to really start adapting it and start getting that energy level back up.”
For students already interested in the field, the competition is an opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom.
“The most challenging part is probably the programming,” said Isabella Michaelis, a student at Clark Middle School. She emphasized that this sort of competition “enables you to think outside of the box.”
Watch the FiOS 1 News coverage.
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director
p – 516.237.8634
e – twilson@adelphi.edu