Marygrove students showcase their talents through robotics
Reimagine the future—that’s what students at The School at Marygrove do daily through innovative engineering and design thinking. The school’s project-based curriculum—developed by U-M in partnership with teachers at the School at Marygrove—includes a robust robotics program. This program comprises a mandatory 11th grade class, a robotics club, and opportunities to compete in the First Robotics Competition.
“It’s always great when students have the chance to merge hands-on learning with real-life concepts,” said Assistant Principal Rebecca Adams. “The robotics program allows students to enhance their skills in research, critical thinking, analyzing, and problem-solving. Lastly, it allows them to showcase their creativity while inspiring others to be part of the vast world of engineering.”
In their first two years at The School at Marygrove, students explore engineering through classes on human-centered design thinking. Those courses prepare students for the third-year engineering class: robotics.
The high school class was inspired by a new U-M College of Engineering course designed by engineering professors Dr. Jessy Grizzle and Dr. Chad Jenkins. The goal of U-M’s Robotics 101 curriculum is to increase access to engineering by showing first-year students how engineers use math and computing to solve critical problems. Their robotics curriculum launches students in computational linear algebra rather than the typical calculus course load that deters many students, particularly those who did not have access to higher level math classes in their high schools.
A team from Marygrove, the U-M College of Engineering, and the U-M School of Education worked together to create an 11th grade version of Robotics 101 that would prepare Marygrove students for success in college engineering courses. The class they built engages students in learning algebra to prepare Marygrove students for university courses like U-M's Robotics 101, and also teaches computational thinking, computer programming, and the mechanics of building robots. Most importantly, the class is project- and place-based, meaning students recognize how robotics is relevant to their lives and engage in problem-solving with robotics in their homes and communities.
Students are tackling projects from building a facial recognition system to mapping spaces on their campus using robots. Dr. Carolyn Giroux of the U-M School of Education, who collaborated on the curriculum, said, “Our students are problem solvers, so they’ve embraced the challenge of building a facial recognition system. They’re learning everything from coding in Python to considering the social implications of solving problems with technology.”
The 11th grade robotics class is taught by U-M School of Education graduate Ms. Isra Elshafei. Elshafei said “The goal is to have my students realize how big of a resource this program is and not just have fun with it. If they choose to go down this career path, they will have a head start for the best chance of success.”
According to Diversity in STEAM Magazine, the top three most in-demand engineering jobs with the greatest salary potential are Data Science and Machine Learning, Automation and Robotics Engineer, and Petroleum Engineer. As of 2019, Data USA reports the University of Michigan awarding more than 192,000 engineering degrees with an average salary of $115,947, and 4.54 million people in the workforce.
Because all 11th graders take the robotics class, the school positions all its students to access career paths in computer programming, robotics, and other engineering fields—all of which align with DPSCD’s mission and vision to ensure students are college and career ready.
For Marygrove students who are particularly interested in exploring robotics, Ms. Elshafei and Mr. Donald Watts lead a club open to students in every grade. The club empowers students to build and program robots while building social skills through establishing friendships, developing leadership, and increasing their self-esteem.
“The robotics club allows students to learn more about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) in a collaborative environment with like-minded peers,” said Principal Michelle White. “It provides the opportunity to use academic knowledge they already have while building vital life skills such as teamwork, cooperation, patience and perseverance.”
For students who wish to compete, the First Robotics Competition (FRC) is the ultimate varsity sport where teams of high school students and their industry mentors design and build large-scale robots to battle in fierce 3 vs. 3 competitions on a 27-by-54-foot playing field. FRC will compete during the regular winter season in three new virtual challenges.
Competitions can get intense as they require quick, on-the-spot thinking, robot training, and team bonding. KLA Foundation generously sponsors the robotics club by covering fees, materials and transportation costs. Recently, the foundation also donated new computers for the 11th grade robotics class.
DPSCD encourages the students at Marygrove to Rise Up with DPSCD and take charge of your future by joining the robotics club. The group meets Mondays and Thursdays from 4:15 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. in Ms. Elshafei's classroom 312 and is preparing for the upcoming FRC in January.