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Robotics
Big Ideas Welcomed Here
At CHCA, robotics is a critical component of our approach to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Through classroom and multiple extracurricular opportunities, teachers, coaches, and industry mentors equip students with 21st century skills, bridging the gap between practical problems and creative solutions. Students interact with various robotics technologies and platforms (e.g. Lego, VexIQ, FIRST) as they learn how to become innovative designers, empowered learners, and digital citizens.
Through robotics, our students gain direct experience with
.
In the classroom:
At CHCA, students are introduced to robotics in their technology courses as early as Kindergarten. From a general introduction in the early grades to more specialized STEAM content in Upper School, students have numerous opportunities to explore and develop their one-of-a-kind gifts with technology and the design thinking process.
Kindergarten - Grade 3
In the lower grades, we focus on introducing concepts of robotics and exposing students to the world of coding. Topics include input-process-output, sequencing, commands, loops, algorithms, and more.
Students primarily work in block-based coding and each grade uses age-appropriate robots.
Grades 4-6
Upper Elementary robotics builds on the foundational skills taught previously. We focus on Core 4, sequencing, and debugging concepts and evolve to syntax, logic and psuedocode. Grade 6 students are introduced to basic 3D design concepts and use developmentally appropriate CAD software.
Grades 9-12
Programming, computer science, and engineering courses are available electives for Gr 9-12 students. In these courses, students can take their technology skills to the next level with a deep dive into coding, creative problem solving, and design.
School Day Courses with Robotics Content
Grade 4-6 (Upper E)
- Upper Elementary (Gr 4-6)
(UE) Technology and Design Thinking 4
Course focuses on basic computer literacy introducing students to Windows PC devices. Topics include: logging on/off school accounts; accessing CHCA's Learning Management System (LMS), use of online quizzes, documents and protocols for saving/retrieving files; online safety, digital citizenship, and wellness; introduction to using online resources for research and safe research strategies; importance of citations; introductory coding and programming; keyboarding and typing skills; creating productivity documents using desktop and cloud-based applications (ex: Microsoft Word); introduction to presentation software (ex: PowerPoint) and basic presentation skills. Introduction to videography process with an emphasis in LEGO stop-motion is also covered.
- Technology
- Upper Elementary (Gr 4-6)
(UE) Technology and Design Thinking 5
Course focuses on accessing online networks, including school email accounts; email functions, etiquette, composition; intermediate skill at creating and formatting productivity documents (ex: Word, using table inserts, headers & footers, multiple question style); file management and naming protocols; utilizing more advanced Learning Management System (LMS) functions (ex: file uploads, online quizzes); keyboarding and typing skills; online safety, digital citizenship, and wellness with introduction to basic online research protocols and ethics, copyright and fair use; continued refinement of online search skill with effective, safe navigation of internet sources, keyword optimization and usage of online search tools; intermediate coding and programming; use of presentation software and development of presentation skill; further development of videography process, emphasis in various styles of stop-motion introduction to basic video production.
- Technology
- Upper Elementary (Gr 4-6)
(UE) Technology and Design Thinking 6
Course focuses on building fluency navigating online networks and Learning Management System (LMS); online safety, digital citizenship, and wellness with topics that may include mobile device usage, chat room safety, and social media; continued refinement of online search skill with effective, safe navigation of internet sources, keyword optimization and usage of online search tools; continued refinement of file management and naming protocols; continued keyboarding and typing skill development; introduction to advanced presentation software and media formats (ex: Sway, Prezi); introduction to spreadsheets (ex: Excel); continued emphasis on online research skill, use of citations and research ethics; coding and programming with introduction to new coding languages (ex: JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Python); introduction to CAD and 3D design elements; continued development of video production and basic post-production/editing skills.
- Technology
Grade 9-12 (Upper School)
- Upper School (Gr 9-12)
(US 9-12) Computer and Technology Survey
In this entry level course, students experience a broad range of computing tools to create and modify text and visual information as well as implement basic programming techniques using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and current web-based development tools. They apply skills in computer graphics, word processing, spreadsheets and presentation tools to enhance their design thinking and logical problem solving.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 0.5
- Technology
- Upper School (Gr 9-12)
(US 9-12) Making Electronics
No coding experience needed in this introductory course to the world of programming where students learn to develop stand-alone applications for the PC and Arduino microcontroller. Using common development environments students learn to receive user input, read data from and write data to a file, perform meaningful operations on data, operate devices based on sensor input, aggregate sensor data, and present it in a basic user interface. After an introductory period, work is primarily project based, with each group making meaningful decisions as to the functionality and end goals of their projects. Extensions for advanced students may include app development with a focus on interfacing with network enabled sensor arrays.
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Credit: 0.5
- Technology
- Upper School (Gr 9-12)
(US 9-12) Video Game Programming and Design
Motivated by a love of video games, students learn how to use design thinking and software engineering principles to create games of their own. No prior programming knowledge is necessary as they will be introduced to the core principles of programming, graphic design, and the art of experiential story telling. By the end of the course, students will produce multiple games of their own design working independently and in project design groups.
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Credit: 0.5
- Technology
- Upper School (Gr 9-12)
(US 9-12) AP Computer Science Principles
This course is equivalent to one semester of freshman college coursework and offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation as presented in the AP Computer Science Principles curriculum. It introduces students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. Students use technology to address real-world problems and build relevant solutions. Assessment is through both the AP Exam and completion of a through-course performance task. The performance task, which focuses on programming, remains stable from year to year and requires students to upload digital artifacts and written responses via a web-based digital portal. The task is designed to give students broad latitude in personally selecting the focus and topics of their interest. The programming languages introduced in this course are Scratch and Python.
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Credit: 1
- Technology
- Upper School (Gr 9-12)
(US 9-12) Engineer Your World
This full year elective course engages students in authentic engineering practices in a project-based environment. It teaches important engineering skills such as creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration. Through solving authentic problems, students explore engineering fields and professions including chemical, civil, mechanical, and electrical/software engineering. Topics include addressing customer needs through design, designing with data, reverse engineering, programming, and systems engineering. Course counts toward Technology graduation requirement or Science elective.
Corequisite: Algebra II Honors/VT
Credit: 1.0
- Science
- Technology
Beyond the School Day: Beak Squads
Lower E Gr 3
Through a series of story-based missions, student teams develop problem-solving, growth mindset, and creativity skills and implement the Engineering Design Process while learning to code. We are a part of the Wonder League Robotics Competition (WLRC) using Dash Robots.
Upper E 4-6
Upper E Beak Squad Robotics strives to provide our students with tangible, innovative, and unique opportunities to support their interests and develop their skills. Students work with VEX IQ Robotics to address real-world problems, utilize the Engineering Design Process to build a robot from scratch. We offer both a Gr 4-6 non-competitive team and a Gr 5-6 competitive team that competes locally.
03/08/23 Update:all 3 Gr 5-6 Teams are headed to state! Read more
Upper School 7-8
The FIRST Robotics program is a unique experience that exposes students not only to real-world engineering challenges, designing, building and programming, but also marketing, brand identities, website development, publicity, and more! FTC student teams, including coaches and mentors, design, build, program, and operate robots to play a floor game in an alliance format. It’s “More Than Robots”!
02/03/23 Update:
Our Gr 7-8 Beak Squad robotics team competed in regional competition this past week. Although most of their competitors were high school teams, the Beak Squad finished a respectable 12th out of 23 teams.
Also, the team earned top recognition winning the Innovate Award! This judged award celebrates a team that thinks imaginatively and has the ingenuity, creativity, and inventiveness to make their designs come to life. Way to Go!
Upper School 9-12
We compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), a worldwide organization of 4000+ active high school robotics teams. Every January we get a brand new challenge and have 2 months to design, build, and program a 120 lbs robot to play a game in 3 v. 3 matches on a big field. Dubbed “a varsity sport for the mind” FRC combines difficult technical challenges with the excitement of competition to inspire students in STEM pursuits.
Beak Squad US 9-12
04/07/23 Update:Gr 9-12 Team is headed to Worlds! Read more
Armleder School 3-5
Student teams work together to accomplish each year’s mission. This involves problem solving, coding, board design, video making, and lots of teamwork. We are a part of the Wonder League Robotics Competition (WLRC) using Dash Robots.
Summer Camps
Summer camps offer Gr 1-9 students a deeper dive into coding and robotics. Topics include LEGO engineering, robotics, and video game programming and design.
