Re: I request teaching guide

[Scott Goelzer <sgoelzer@EARTHLINK.NET>]

on 4/17/02 9:13 AM, Richard D. Chelvan at rdchelvan@NETSCAPE.NET wrote:

> Why are large corporations supporting activities that encourage the
> building of "robots" and then a competition whereby they are driven
> remotely by the student competitor with radio control equipment supplied
> to them?  Why not teach these students the autonomous control of robots
> with Microcontrollers that are programmed by them?  Is there a
> disconnect here or am I missing something?

You are missing the fact that many of my top honors students had signifcant
trouble making a mouse trap car move 3 meters (never mind the goal of
popping some balloons at the end of the course). The level of mechanical
inexperience is astounding. The pop culture image of the youth being
technologically proficient is a myth, most can barely type and print. Many
of these kids have never made anything more complex than a poster for
history class. (rant ended - disappointing week for me)

Next year we will explore exactly how to put a wheel on an axle - such that
it turns. Microcontrollers....?!! That would be nice.

Scott


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S.Goelzer
Physics Teacher
Coe - Brown Northwood Academy
Northwood NH 03261
603-942-5531 ext43
sgoelzer@coebrownacademy.com
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