Young Notre Dame students get an introduction to robotics. "Introduction to Robotics" was developed to give Notre Dame students too young to compete in robotics a taste of what it is all about. More photos below.
“There are 34 students in the program,” Palardy said. “I wanted to give them a taste of robotics before they are old enough to be on the team, which starts in 3rd grade. Each time we meet, the little ones have time to drive robots and we also talk about terminology used in robotics and the design process.”
For each session, Palardy is utilizing the same field elements used in the game challenge for 3rd – 8th grade. She said this season it’s plastic rings and scoring poles. She also said that typically the robots are assembled by snapping various pieces and components together.
“We are going through the design process just like the students on the team do, and we develop a tool for picking up and scoring the rings on the poles,” she added. “If they have an opportunity to attend a competition, they will see that what they did mattered since it’s what the regular robotics team is doing. Students have a lot of choices for after-school activities and I am glad to have this group of young students exploring the exciting world of robotics.”
Palardy also mentioned that Notre Dame will be hosting a 3rd- through 8th-grade VEX IQ competition on January 20 in the main school cafeteria.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.