TMCNet: Winlock Middle School Receives $15,000 for Robotics Class

[January 29, 2013]

Winlock Middle School Receives $15,000 for Robotics Class

Jan 29, 2013 (The Chronicle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Students in one program at Winlock Middle School are disappointed when the bell rings at the end of class each day.

The 20 eighth-graders are taking part in Winlock's newly created robotics class.

"It's high-interest, hands-on," said Superintendent Shannon Criss. "It's just fun to see the excitement." Gary Viggers, the science teacher instructing the robotics course, said students are so eager to learn they hustle in the classroom and get going right away.


"In any other class, I have to say, 'OK, the bell rang, now get out your books,'" he said. "This one could almost teach itself." One group of students has already built a robot that plays putt-putt golf since the class began on Jan. 21.

"These boys are real sharp," Viggers said. "What a great way to learn -- they're solving problems, working solutions as a group." The district received funding for the program through a $15,000 grant from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

"I had a vision of in a small rural community, offering an engaging class for our kids," said Criss, who applied for the funds in September.

Criss said the district aims to extend the program into the high school next year and eventually to compete in robotics challenges around the region.

"The science, technology, engineering and math emphasis is getting our kids ready for careers beyond high school," Criss said.

"We want them to be able to use it in the real world," Viggers added.

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