Prairie STEM recently had the opportunity to work with intermediate students at Bergan Catholic Elementary School in Fremont, introducing them to the exciting world of robotics using STEMBots. Through a series of hands-on lessons, students explored not only the mechanics of robotics, but also the important teamwork and communication skills that engineers and problem-solvers use every day.
The first lesson focused on the fundamentals: learning how to properly care for and safely operate the STEMBots. Students practiced basic driving skills, learning how the robot responds to different controls and how precision and patience are important when maneuvering technology. This introductory experience helped students build confidence while also learning responsibility when working with robotics equipment.
In the second lesson, students took their skills a step further by working in teams during a robotics challenge. Each team used the robot’s claw attachment to pick up objects and transport them back to their team’s goal. This activity introduced elements of engineering design and problem solving as students quickly discovered that strategy, coordination, and careful driving were necessary to successfully retrieve items. Teams experimented with approaches, adjusting their techniques as they worked together to improve their results.
The third lesson brought an entirely new challenge—and an important life skill—into the mix: communication. In this activity, the robot driver was blindfolded and could not see the playing field. Teams rotated through three roles: the driver, the communicator, and the visual observer. The visual observer could see the field and the robot but was not allowed to speak directly to the driver. Instead, they communicated instructions to the communicator, who then relayed clear directions to the blindfolded driver controlling the robot.
This exercise quickly demonstrated how critical clear communication and teamwork are when solving complex problems. Students learned that vague directions or talking over one another made the task much more difficult, while calm, clear instructions helped the driver navigate successfully. The activity highlighted real-world skills used in fields such as engineering, robotics operations, aviation, and even medical teams, where effective communication can make all the difference.
Through these robotics lessons, students at Bergan Catholic Elementary were not only learning about technology and engineering—they were developing collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills that will benefit them in every area of learning. Prairie STEM always enjoys seeing students engaged, thinking creatively, and encouraging one another as they tackle new challenges together.
