Legos for Learning

Legos are more than just toys; they are a tool to teach youngsters principles of science and math and they are effectively being used by local middle school students to prepare for high school academics. Columbia’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Morningside Area Alliance have joined together to engage more than 80 students from public middle schools throughout Harlem in the Harlem Middle School Robotics Challenge.

These engineering challenges feature teams of Harlem middle school students competing with each other using small robots they have built using Lego Robotics. The student-built robots compete on a “course challenge,” where they travel to and stop on each target point on the course. The robots also compete in a drag race. Teams are recognized for best design, best use of sensors, most creative robot, most team spirit, and best teamwork.

“By using these interactive robot-building sets, students learn simple programming logic and engineering design skills,” said Dr. Jack McGourty, SEAS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. “The students work on a shared goal in an environment that encourages teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

Dean McGourty said that this Robotics Challenge is only the first phase of a long-term program using Columbia Engineering students working with elementary, middle and high school students. “Our goal is to have every K-12 school in Harlem participating in robotics,” he said.

The first two contests were held in mid-November and mid-December at Fredrick Douglass Academy on 2581 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. Additional Robotics Challenges are scheduled for the Spring.

See a video presentation of the first Harlem Middle School Robotic Challenge which took place on November 17th.