Integrating Robotics into school curriculum

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by nalbonec

We are trying to start a FIRST Robotics team at our school. In our introductory meeting with the school principal, he was concerned about "integrating robotics into the school curriculum" BEFORE we form a FIRST team.

I'm not sure what you mean by his being "concerned" - I am taking it to mean that he wanted to see some curriculum before you started a team.

If that's correct, then the way I would approach it is by having a brainstorming session with the science teachers - as many as you can gather regardless of specialty - and any "shop" or technology teachers (if you have them) - and see what things that are already in the curriculum would apply to robotics.

After compiling a list, write a brief note as to how this relates to robotics. Show all that to the principal, and explain that your school already has a significant robotics curriculum - just not presented to the students as such. FIRST has been an excellent way of tying all these diverse subjects into a meaningful and fun focus for our district, and many of the underclassmen are now gravitating towards physics, calculus and other subjects that they can use to do better in FIRST.

We're a large district, with two high schools and about 3500 students. The assistant superintendent, when he dropped by one day last year to see "what allt his robot stuff is about" was astounded. Quote: "This is the way education is supposed to be".

If the teachers can't all be in one place, then visit them individually.

Good luck,
Don