Students from
@WestlawnTCS explored the future of transportation and technology during a hands-on STEM learning experience hosted by Vela Institute’s
@betaboxlearning Autonomous Vehicles Onsite Field Trip on May 7.
Throughout the day, sixth - and seventh-grade students participated in interactive lessons focused on autonomous vehicles, coding, drones and robotics. Betabox guides led students through real-world scenarios designed to spark conversations about the laws, ethics and technology surrounding self-driving vehicles.
“We have mobile labs that we travel around in different schools and offer onsite field trips for students to present different types of STEM technologies,” said Gretchen Bowers, technology manager for
@betaboxlearning. “Today, we’re working with autonomous vehicles, so they’re learning a little bit about robot cars and some basic networking and drones about building different types of algorithms to get those to fly.”
Students worked directly with robot cars while learning about coding, networking and IP addresses. They also programmed drones to follow flight plans using algorithms they created themselves.
“We talk about just some basic command lines to get those fully connected,” Bowers said. “Then we have the drones over here also that they’ll actually build algorithms to get those to follow the flight plan.”
The experience was designed not only to teach students about emerging technology, but also to inspire interest in STEM-related careers.
“STEM is the thing right now,” Bowers said. “We just need to make sure that we’re preparing our students so that they’ll be on top of the game rather than behind the curtain. Just making sure they’re prepared and ready for whatever career field they’re wanting to go into.”
Students also explored how drones and autonomous technology are already being used in everyday life and discussed how advancements in technology could shape future career opportunities.
Betabox partners with the
@univwestalabama to bring mobile STEM learning labs to schools across the region. The group previously visited
@NMSJags in the fall and
@emsstampede earlier last week.
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ALT Student programs with code to move a robotic car.
ALT Student operating a drone.
ALT Students learning to code and program their robotic cars from instructor.
ALT Student setting up programming for robotic car exercise.