The second day of camp always proves to be a bit of a challenge mentally. The day first comes excitement and all new challenges and building of a robot. The second day is where students find out if their ideas work. For many, the process typically requires a complete or very near complete overhaul of their original design concept.
This is a tough moment. Many think their first idea is the best idea. Many have never been in a situation where they have had to endure several versions of their prototype ideas to find out what actually works. This can be challenging, but it is a vital piece in the learning process.
One of the key pieces of learning that is often hard for students to understand is the process of elimination. Today all of them were gaining valuable insights and critical elements of learning by discovering what does NOT work. The process of elimination is what will allow for success. However, this is difficult for students to grasp because the learning is not always tangible. Points are not being scored and missions are not being solved. But, by working through ideas and noting what works and what does not is one more key step in learning and robotics.
Success comes from ruling things out. This is why in a typical robotics season we invest hundred of hours into our robot as we figure out what works and what does not work in addition to adding new layers to the robot as we incorporate new missions and challenges.
Today we really had students trying to think about strategy. We started off helping them to think about strategy. Do you know the points? Do you know why you are building what you are building?
This is all new territory for many of the students. They are doing amazing. What the students have been able to create, code, and accomplish in two days is really a sight to see. Each student tackles things a bit differently and that is what makes it unique and exciting.
Day 3 will lead us to checkpoint to see where each robot currently is before our Friday point runs. Today will be another exciting day as they continue to learn so much about themselves and robotics even if they don’t even realize it!
Here is our photo album from camp.
Here is a little video of day 2
Robodogs LEGO EV3 Camp Day 1 http://wp.me/p4covo-1Es
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