Robots helping C.E. Lawrence students learn

SUSSEX BOROUGH — Gone are the days when grammar school meant just memorizing ABC’s and 123’s.
Kindergarten-through-second graders at Wantage’s CE Lawrence School learn computer-science coding, programming algorithm-solving and more — with the help of Library Media Specialist Jennifer Paolucci and her robots.
“In libraries, maybe four years ago, librarians started introducing “makerspace” areas: spaces with supplies where kids could make and build things and problem-solve together. It could be blocks, circuits, Legos, paper — anything kids can use to build together,” explains Paolucci.
The Sussex-Wantage School Board, understanding the value in the makerspace concept, budgeted funds towards expanding the CE Lawrence School makerspace in the 2016-17 school year. Paolucci invested the funds in a Lego wall, magnetic click blocks, wooden magnetic blocks, and 10 Wonder Workshop STEM interactive learning Dash robots.
Over her seven-year tenure, Paolucci taught students computer coding using online games, but this school year, the robots took computer science instruction to a whole new level. Starting with second graders and working her way down to kindergarteners, Paolucci introduced students to drop-and-drag programming, algorithms and more.
The difference was that students now witnessed their programming come to life in the form of “Trixie” the robot.
“Getting (students) to figure out which steps they need to do to make (the robots) move is what they’re really excited about. Kids think they’re playing with them,” Paolucci said. “They’re learning the basics of computer science, working together to problem solve, and having fun doing it.”
The children’s response has been so great that Paolucci has children going home and coding on their own, and parents seeking information on purchasing coding software and robots.
“We start at an early age with the introduction of computer technology in many ways,” Interim Superintendent Robert Mooney said, “We want students to have a love for technology, therefore our curriculum has a lot of technology embedded in it.”
Paolucci reports that kids who learn coding tend to do better on state testing.
“If we can get kids to think more logically and computationally, there’s so many opportunites," she said. "My philosophy is to push and challenge kids the best I can. If they can go to third grade knowing programming, hopefully down the road they will seek out these opportunities.”
In the meantime, she “would love to see this grow and go through the school district.”
For more information on Wonder Workshop programs and the robots being utilized at CE Lawrence School, visit www.makewonder.com.