Robotics is ‘total teamwork’ for Derby programs | Zoom

When DHS teacher Darin Link is at a robotics competition, he’s not just seeing the wheels on the devices turning, he’s realizing wheels are also turning in the heads of his students.

That’s because it’s not a simple task to make a little machine go: it takes a lot of human brain power, and a wide variety of skills – including building, programming and a strategy for winning their competition.

“Robotics really helps them put things together and figure out how things work,” said Link, who is one of several DHS instructors involved in robotics. The team is headed up by industrial arts teacher Mary Morgan.

While in his sixth year at the school, this is Link’s first foray into the world of robotics and he’s having the time of his life being a coach, mentor and chaperone of the 30 or so students involved. Part of that is because he sees the way the students have to work together to make their endeavor successful.

“It’s total teamwork,” he said.

While many of the young people are aiming for engineering or computer science careers, as both are heavily involved in the process of designing, building and operating robots, others are simply doing it for fun and its competitive nature.

But it’s not an easy activity as “there’s a lot that goes into it,” Link said.

Picking up skills

And unlike some school districts, in Derby, it’s outside-the-classroom time, which can mean up to 15 hours a week.

“They put a lot of time into it. Just as much time as sports,” Link said.

But the season is much longer than most sports, starting in August and running through April for the top teams.

That time paid off as DHS had three teams that went to the state competition at NIAR near Spirit AeroSystems, and has one team going to the World Championships, a three-phased event that will be held from April 25 to May 3 in Dallas.

“We will be well represented,” he said.

Some of those DHS students get the first taste of robotics at Derby’s two middle schools. At Derby Middle School, teacher David Brown oversees robotics activities, which involve 37 students in grades six to eight. Middle school is the ideal place for students to take their first leap into the undertaking, Brown said, as no previous experience is required and they can learn along the way, picking up skills with their teammates.

Like Link, Brown said robotics teaches students a wide variety of skills, including “soft” ones that are valuable both now and in the workplace. They include skills such as time management, problem-solving, leadership, listening, empathy and building interpersonal relationships.

Of course, there are the harder skills – such as building the devices – and in that regard, the students catch on to the process at varying times.

Robotics takes effort

Whenever that happens, it’s rewarding to see things fall into place, Brown said.

“The ‘light bulb’ comes on and it’s great to see it come on,” he said.

Some of the students will continue on a robotics track not only through DHS but into college, too. But even for those who don’t, the skill-building will be useful, he said.

Brown, too, said robotics takes more time than many people may think.

“As my wife would say, ‘it consumes your life,’” he said.

The lengthy season is part of that.

“I’ve coached tennis and basketball in the past. The robotics season is much longer,” Brown said. But he enjoys being a part of it and watching students be both collaborative and competitive.

Brown, who was first trained as a math and science teacher, picked up his tech-ed certification and went into robotics, along with being the Project Lead the Way Gateway teacher. He’s retiring this year, but the programming will continue, especially given the backing given to it by parents, the district and the DMS administration.

“When you see smiles on the kids’ faces and the fans in the stands, it’s hard not to be supportive,” Brown said.