Robotics team excels at Davidson Middle

CRESTVIEW—Assembling a robot, using computer language to program that robot and having it complete a series of tasks sounds like a day in the life of a science fiction character.

However, it’s just another day for some Davidson Middle School students.

Tim Sexton teaches multiple science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, courses at Davidson that encourage students to seek answers and develop research-based solutions. He also coaches a pair of robotics teams after the school day has ended.

The teams, including an advanced “varsity” team named the Panther Botz and a “junior varsity” squad called the DMS Bricklayers, compete in the FIRST LEGO League. The FLL competition presents students globally with a real-world problem and tasks them with developing a solution, according to its website. Then, students design, build and program a robot for competition.

The experience is rewarding for not just students, but also the teacher.

“When you see a student have that ‘yay’ moment — that’s what makes my day,” Sexton said.

Sexton’s students have had plenty of reasons to rejoice. Last weekend, the Davidson team won a county competition and qualified for the FLL state championships in May. This is the third time in Sexton’s six years of coaching the robotics team they have qualified for the state-level tournament.

‘I WANT TO SPARK AN INTEREST’

The teams’ main challenge is to program a robot to operate and complete several tasks on a playing field designed with obstacles. Teams use different motors and sensors to create a capable machine.

Competitions go beyond programming and engineering skills, requiring teams to participate in team-building exercises, practice “gracious professionalism” and have their teamwork abilities analyzed, according to Sexton.

Davidson performed a mannequin challenge while holding signs to display their core values as part of the recent FLL team exercise.

Such practices teach STEM concepts, critical thinking, organization and time management, Sexton said.

He’s witnessed a transition of these skills into the classroom as well, saying robotics team students tend to excel in his class.

“I want to spark an interest in their minds,” Sexton said.

He encourages students to find answers themselves, rather than giving them, he said during an information session about his class to future student-parents, reiterating his facilitator concept.

“When they ask me a question, I ask them two right back,” Sexton said. This encourages students to research, problem solve and stimulate their mind, he added.

WORK COMES BEFORE PLAY

Not just robotics team members get to have fun. Sexton’s STEM courses allow students to use 3D printers, operate and repair drones, and research and construct projects of their choosing through a concept he calls I-Wonder.

I-Wonder gives students nine days each grading period to work on a STEM-related project of their choosing, outside traditional classroom material. The idea is based on similar concepts at Google and 3M that led to the development of Gmail and Post-it notes.

Sexton’s classroom isn’t a space for purely play time, however. Students still must put in the grunt work of assignments, studying and tests before they can use the classroom’s extensive Lego collection or machinery.

“You have to work first and get it done before you can play,” Sexton told the prospective students. “That’s how it goes in the real world,” he added as several parents nodded.

The same standard is expected from robotics teams.

“Some kids come in here and think it’s a club where they can just build stuff and then leave,” Sexton said. “It’s not like that. This is a competitive team and I’m the coach, so even though we do want to have fun, of course, it’s still taken seriously.”

‘DON’T BE AFRAID’

Complex machinery and extensive supplies are rare sights in many public school classrooms. When the programs were initially designed several years ago, Sexton wanted to ensure money for equipment would not come from Davidson’s funding.

Classroom purchases have been made as the result of numerous grants for which Sexton has applied.

He hopes the class and team engagement will spark creativity for students, regardless of whether they plan to pursue degrees. Sexton recognizes college isn’t for all students but those students can still find opportunities in the STEM field.

Students have the ability to earn certifications in a range of STEM-based skills through his classes. These certifications are the key to well-paying careers for students seeking a college alternative, according to Sexton. They can also supplement those that do intend to pursue a degree.

“Don’t be afraid,” Sexton would tell students who might be hesitant to become involved with STEM. “You’re not going to learn anything by sitting on the sidelines.”

Some students are reluctant to pursue programming or engineering because they are afraid of failure, he said.

The key, Sexton said, is learning from that failure and improving for the next time.

Email Sexton at sextont@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us for more information on his programs, or to help sponsor participation in the state competition.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Robotics team excels at Davidson Middle