For the second straight year, Howard M. Phifer Middle School is offering robotics for a full marking period as a related arts class. The robotics program, taught by Mrs. Tracey McSweeney, is designed for students to explore, build, and program small LEGO NXT robots. 

To inspire students’ interest in the field of engineering, Mrs. McSweeney invited engineers from the Lockheed Martin to talk to the robotics class. The engineers who attended, Aron Rubin, Andrew Vernazza, Rebecca Cargan, and Tarika Aggarwal, encouraged students to reflect and collaborate on the learning process, by using skills such as application of knowledge and problem solving. Students experimented with an electronic robotic arm gripper and learned on how robotic arms are used in the real world.

In addition, the engineers discussed the definition of radar and explained its various uses. They performed a radio frequency demonstration and discussed some of the robot projects they worked on, such as the DARPA Robotics Challenge, an international competition of robot systems and software teams developing robots capable of assisting humans in responding to natural and man-made disasters.

Mrs. McSweeney looks forward to having more Lockheed Martin presentations in the future to help students develop an interest in pursuing a career in engineering.