CAREER PATHWAYS
Building Innovators Practicing the fundamentals of engineering and robotics might not sound very interesting to an eight year old. They would probably prefer to be playing with LEGOs or hanging out with friends. However, thanks to the innovative minds of FIRST Robotics, over 72 Ferndale Upper Elementary students can do all three as part of FIRST LEGO League (FLL). Ferndale Upper Elementary has hosted a LEGO robotics program for its students since 2016 as part of FIRST Robotics hands-on STEM learning program. This year, nine parent-led teams are gearing up for competition in engineering and robotics challenges using LEGOs. In the Explore League, 24 3rd grade students are focusing on a collaborative research project. Spread across three teams, students work together to research a real world problem and design a solution, while building and practicing motorization and coding skills together.
LEGO LEAGUE AND TECH CHALLENGE BRING ROBOTICS, TEAMWORK & FUN TO 3RD-8TH GRADES Our 4th-5th grade students enter the Challenge league, which mirrors more advanced FIRST programs featured in our high school and middle school. On our five teams, 47 total students practice coding and construction as well as FIRST Core Values including teamwork and inclusion to complete a robotics game. Teams also develop solutions to their own real-world problem with an Innovation Project.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED Maisson Fennig teaches 4th grade at FUEL and coordinates the LEGO League. “It’s so cool. The kids get so excited about it!” Gathering over 18 parents to support this program is no easy feat, and Maisson depends on parent leadership from people like Nick Kokotovich. Nick works in Advanced Electric Vehicle Development for GM, so he sees the real-world value in teaching these skills to our students. He has been an ambassador for the program since 2019, and he currently has three children (3rd, 6th, 8th grades) all participating in FIRST Robotics programs in Ferndale Schools. “I feel like I would be letting the kids down if I didn't help, but sometimes I find a bit of fun in it, too,” Nick told us.
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FIRST LEGO Challenge League teams use their creations to complete tasks within a lego-scale arena, earning points for toward victory. Ferndale High School will be hosting its first Division Competition for LEGO League teams on December 2nd.
Joe Robinson was featured on the cover of Runner’s World as co-founder of WeRun313, a social run club building community across the city of Detroit.
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www.FerndaleSchools.org
