Lego Robotics is an extracurricular program designed to get students involved with real-world engineering, computer science, design, math and applied physics. The team and project-management skills learned here last a lifetime. Robotics starts in Middle School and continues through Upper School.

Participants in both the Middle School and Upper School programs design robots for entry in their respective FIRST robotics competitions. Middle School participation is not required before becoming involved with the Upper School program.

Spring Robotics

Start out by completing the self-paced introduction to programming in NXT-G. After that, the sky’s the limit. Come up with your own ideas for Lego robotic projects or pick one from our list. How about a robot that can draw? One that can beat other robots in Sumo wrestling? Soccer with Bluetooth radio? A Lego vending machine or monorail? Students should come with the idea they want to learn about engineering and programming, it’s not a Lego free-for-all.  No experience required.  Click here for more information.  To register for the spring 2012 session click here.

Fall Robotics

Middle School students design and program robots using LEGO parts and NXT controllers. In the fall, teams of three to five students form and complete their work in time for local competitions held in mid-December and state competitions in mid-January. Teams are typically coached on a day-to-day basis by veteran Upper School students supervised by Dale Yocum, robotics program director. Fall robotics requires previous Lego robotics experience either through spring robotics at Catlin or a class outside of the school. Students with extensive Lego robotics experience at home can complete a challenge assignment to have this prerequiste waved.  More information on fall robotics can be found here.

Downloads

Catlin Gabel has long been a leader in using robotics as a way to stimulate interest in science and engineering.  As a result, we've created several multimedia tutorials which are used world wide. Click here for details.