Our First Lego League Qualifying Tournament

The John Burroughs Middle School All Girls Robotics Team made their mark at the First Lego League qualifier. The girls did not win or move on to the next round of competition but they were the only team made up of all girls and did they did finish in the top 10. 

This was my first robotics competition and I had no idea what to expect. It was nail biting, exciting, and dramatic! Our teams and our coaches learned so much the experience. When something went wrong during a round, the girls immediately got together to discuss what happened and how the problem would be fixed. While they were waiting, the girls practiced on the floors of the school, working up until the moment they had to get into position.

At the end of the competition, before the awards were given out, music was turned on and a huge dance party broke out. This event is designed for kids to learn, build, and code. It is also a way for students to celebrate accomplishments and to have fun. And it did just that. Watching our girls at the end of what was an incredibly intense and exciting and stressful day for them break out into dance was just joyous. It was a day filled with exactly what education should be filled with. 

And our JB team cannot wait for next year!

Toilet Paper Rolls and the Community

Who knew toilet paper rolls could build a bridge from school to community. Not an actual bridge mind you (that might not be structurally sound!) but a way for community members to connect with our students in a way that doesn't cost any money.

When I started the Makerspace at Burroughs, we needed supplies. I researched online and discovered that many of the items needed were other peoples recyclables. I put out a call to parents and staff for items and quite a bit were donated.

Fast forward two years later and on any given day you will find random bags of paper towel and toilet paper rolls in my office, waiting at my door when I get to work or handed to me at a party by a friend who's heard I'm collecting. Because people are still donating. Every week. I haven't asked anyone for them in months. Yet they still end up here. Along with egg cartons, old muffin tins, anything that people thing might be useful in a Makerspace.

People who don't have children, people who are low income, friends, and parents are continuing to use this project as a way to make a difference. And it does make a difference. And all of these items are useful.

Next month one of our sixth grade history classes will be building the civilizations that they have designed. This is a Problem Based Learning project that is weeks in the making. They have studied ancient civilizations during the year and are using pieces from all of the places to design their own civilization complete with government, buildings, and people. They will go into the Makerspace and build these places they have dreamed up with, yep, toilet paper rolls.

I've realized throughout this STEAM and Makerspace adventure that simply talking about the ideas and theories behind these projects isn't enough. We have to create the space, we have to collect the supplies, and we have to help these kids engage. By encouraging the community to engage with the students we all to reap the benefits, and see the amazing results.