Robotics education: Students lead the way to the future

When you were a kid, you probably watched The Jetsons, Star Wars, Star Trek and Lost in Space. You sat in awe in front of the screen, agape with wonder. You imagined one day being like Jane Jetson, whose kitchen could whip together a chocolate cake while robotic arms did her daughter’s hair and make-up. You could be like Luke Skywalker, who could hop in his landspeeder to look for R2-D2 while C-3PO argued with him. Maybe you preferred Captain Kirk, who only needed a tricorder to identify any substance he or Spock or Bones found on any planet they visited.

Maybe all of that is science fiction right now, but it may become fact soon enough. Don’t be surprised if one day your kids come home from school wielding robots that can turn off your lights and gather your dirty laundry.

An android —a human-shaped robotr— struts its stuff in the spotlight at the recently concluded National Robotics Competition 2011. Photo: Oneal Rosero

Genetic’s robotics program

At the recently concluded National Robotics Competition in TriNoma, over 300 students displayed their skills in assembling and programming robots for different tasks. Where were these robots and competitions when you were young, you’re probably wondering now.

Thanks to local groups like Genetic Computer Institute, and the cooperation of foreign companies like Inex, that many elementary and high school students are now learning about robotics. Genetic provides schools with a computer curriculum that includes a robotics program. According to Genetic vice president Pinky Legaspi, “The Robotics curriculum covers Robotics Programming and Assembly. For young learners, programming is made easier with special robotics software. They use a user-friendly graphic user interface where actions, commands and attributes can easily be clicked among the choices. For adult learners, learners are taught first with C programming before they can proceed with the Robotics Programming proper."

Robots await their turn in the arena. Photo: Oneal Rosero

Genetic and Inex Thailand and Singapore also provide schools with kits that contain parts needed to assemble a robot. There are different kinds of robotics kits, but the most basic ones include a battery pack, a motor, a computer chip, wheels and arms. Most small robots run on 9-volt batteries, and use Arduino chips.

Maybe toddlers can build their own walkers someday

When you think of robotics, you think of bespectacled teenaged science nerds, armed with scientific calculators and pocket protectors. But Genetic has robotics programs for students from Grade 3 to college. Think about it: your third-grader can probably build a robot to help you wash your car.

But it’s no small investment: “Robotics is part of the Computer Curriculum Support provided by Genetic Computer Institute to its partner schools. If purchased as a separate program, fees vary depending on the population and level of support needed by the school. Costs may start at a minimum of Php 300,000 per academic year."

A car-like robot built from scratch using Inex components. Photo: Oneal Rosero

It can’t be easy to go to the PTA meeting and convince the entire school to invest Php 300,000 just because you think robotics is cool. So if you really want your child to learn and come home to build Johnny 5,you can send him or her to a robotics camp. Pinky says, “Some camps charge a fee of Php 3,000 per student in a summer camp program inclusive of training, competition and meals." Maybe you can pass for a college student and join too.

My robot can beat your robot!

The robotics program doesn’t teach kids to put together bizarre beings of steel and electricity, out to battle crime or search for life on other planets. Though some of the students may be doing that someday, for now robotics is improving their study of science and math.

Pinky explains the different activities involved in the curriculum: “On the assembly side, the physical structure of the robot depends on the tasks that the robot must perform. We have activities where robots must perform agricultural tasks such as planting, harvesting and transporting. In this activity, robots are assembled with loaders so they can move around with the harvested goods, traction wheels so they can cross bridges going from simulated farm to market. Other activities are the sumobot, where robots are assembled to be like sumo wrestlers with shields and scoops. Others are firefighting robots, assembled with firefighting gear."

Robotics teaches science and math

At the robotics competition, students showed off their creations in the various categories, and it was clear that many factors had to be considered when building a robot.

Sumo robots warming up on the sidelines. It's as much an art as it is a science: note the creative use of stencils, rubber bands, and masking tape. Photo: Oneal Rosero

In the Sumobot competition, bigger wasn’t always better; some robots were smaller and had better traction, and so couldn’t be pushed around easily. Others had stronger motors or were built to twist and turn, and thus throw off opponents. Some robots were too heavy or too wide to topple over. Aside from teaching assembly and programming, robotics teaches a great deal about physics as well.

Pinky explains, “Robotics is very useful for making students appreciate their lessons in Science and Mathematics. The strategies that they have to use involve concepts such as center of gravity, friction, gears and motions, force, angles, distance and speed, velocity, etc. So students who are very much engaged in robotics activities find themselves loving science and mathematics better."

More sumo 'bots: some are decorated with the school logo, while others are beefed up with telco prepaid and video arcade cards.Photo: Oneal Rosero

Can the robots do your kids’ homework?

The students learn to apply abstract science and math concepts when they build their robots, and that is perhaps one of the best things about such programs. Many students may excel at science and math in elementary and high school, but they often forget what they have learned once exams are over. With robotics, they learn how lofty concepts really work.

According to Pinky, “The most important skill that students learn is the integration of what they have learned from theories discussed in the books and inside the classroom with the actual applications of those concepts. In Robotics, they see the theories come alive. As they try to resolve obstacles, they begin to understand better the real applications of the concepts that they are only required in examinations. All the movements, calculations, decisions will have to be based on a sound mathematical design and backed-up by principles in Science."

What does it take to build a robot? Gears, batteries, wheels, tires, and countless bits and pieces. Photo: Oneal Rosero

In fact, Pinky says that Genetic’s partner schools report that “students who are engaged in robotics activities have registered positive improvement on their standings in Science and Mathematics."

Girls want to build transforming robots

Another good thing about a program like this is that the students themselves are very interested in what they’re doing. At the robotics competition, you might expect a sea of boys cheering on their fighting robots while others are engrossed in building something bigger and better. Instead, about half the participating students were girls, and boys and girls alike, from elementary and high school, showed dedication and camaraderie as they worked together to meet the challenge.

An all-girls team from West Rembo, Makati, volunteered to join the competition simply because they love robots. A team from their school won second place at the World Robot Olympiad 2010, held in Manila. They were simply inspired.

“Mahilig kami sa Transformers, pati Wall-E," said Joy Resuma, 12. Her teammates were Odette Malana, Christelle Tuliap and Christine Bartolome, and they’re all in Grade 5. They joined the Sumobot competition, and just wanted to learn. When asked why the boys in their school didn’t join, they said, “Makukulit sila e! Wala naman sila’ng hilig. Kami gusto namin talaga." And what did their parents think of this competition? “Galingan daw namin, sabi nila."

Students hard at work writing programs for their robots. Photo: Oneal Rosero

Jeiron Dagum of St. Michael Parochial School said it was their school’s third time to join the competition. “Pinili lang kami ng school namin para sumali. Pinili nila yung mga matataas ang grades sa Science and Computer." His schoolmate, 13-year-old JA Andallo, said, “Siyempre gusto namin manalo, gusto namin makita yung mga robot na nag-aaway!" He and his teammate, 12-year-old Mark Joseph Pantaleon, joined the Sumobot competition.

Claret School of Quezon City has a robotics organization for its students, with about 15 members. Some of these members were part of the 4 teams that joined the Sumobot category in the competition. One of the participants was Darryl Tongson, whose team won first place in the 2008 competition. So did they feel any pressure to win again? “Not really. It’s just a hobby. We’re just having fun. We volunteered to join the contest," said teammate Marcjoseph Yatco, 17. The Claret students were there with their coach, Roxan Cosico.

The participants watch the opening ceremonies, and eagerly await their turn onstage.
Photo: Oneal Rosero

Robotics are for grown-ups too

If you’re starting to feel like you missed out on a cool class, don’t worry. Genetic offers training for adults, specifically, IT practitioners and teachers who intend to become robotics coaches or trainers. Pinky says, “We train teachers on the robotics teaching methodology (camp style or subject integration), programming and assembly."

A coach can set up a robotics club in elementary or high school, and Genetic can provide the robotics kits, programming software and activities. Rod Francisco of Valenzuela Science High School is one such teacher, he is learning robotics so he can teach it to his students. He and three of his students attended the competition to attend a free workshop on robotics.

Trophies and certificates for the best young robotics engineers. Photo: Oneal Rosero

“Genetic invited us to attend. There’s already a robotics guild in place at our school, but we haven’t implemented the program yet. The parents are really excited about this, because it will be a new experience for everyone. They’re very supportive of the program," Francisco said.

With programs being offered for the young and the young-at-heart, maybe soon we’ll all have our own personal robot butlers to do our homework. — TJD, GMA News Online