Feb 3 2011
Adirondack Community College has decided to include Lego robotics course in its winter enrichment program. The program will primarily focus on science and will be conducted for four days during the February vacation break.
Yvonne Goodwin, Community Program Planner at ACC, has mentioned that the winter program was organized after receiving parents’ feedback from the previous summer programs. He added that parents feel that this education program is the best method to keep their children engaged.
The tutors for the winter program are handling several summer sessions. They are also formulating an abridged syllabus that can ideally match a four-day time schedule. Since the enrichment program is held during the academic period, organizers are running short of classrooms. So they have planned to provide only a few sessions.
The sessions to be included in the program include ‘Creativity through Computers’ and ‘Science Sampler’ for students in grades between four and six. Sessions like ‘Introduction to Robotics with Legos’ and ‘Science Sampler’ are scheduled for graders between seven and nine.
Brian Christiansen will handle the robotics session. He mentioned that he will serve as a coach or supporter than as a tutor for analyzing students’ ability. He stated that this program will enable students to improve science and technology skills by means of analytical methods. He added that due to the growing numbers of girls for this program, he has planned to conduct a few ‘girl-friendly’ exercises. Christiansen is also working on including activities that can get response from both boys and girls.
Goodwin, Planner of the Community Program, has mentioned that after estimating the success of the enrichment program, the organizers will consider organizing another similar program during the spring vacation in April 2012. Goodwin is looking forward to arranging several online sessions like "Science Academy" and "Webinar” for local school children. "Webinar" sessions are scheduled for school children and employees. "Science Academy" is exclusively for graders between three and five as well for six to nine graders. During the spring, the program will provide sessions on ‘Forensics II’, ‘Animal Kingdom II’, ‘Cryptozoology’ and ‘Invading Species’.
Source: http://www.sunyacc.edu