District 23 Igniting a Passion for STEM, With Eighth-Grade Robotics

Eighth graders at MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights are designing, building and programming a robot – and getting high school credit for it. It’s all part of the school's new dual-credit Robotics class, the result of a partnership between Prospect Heights School District 23 and High School District 214.

The partnership enables students to do a deep dive into engineering and other STEM fields, with hands-on learning about things like mechanical engineering, programming, 3D modeling and design.

Principal Cam Nystrom, Ed.D., says District 23 worked with District 214 administration to design the Robotics class so it has similar curriculum and outcomes as entry-level engineering classes at the high schools. Seventeen MacArthur eighth graders were selected to take part in the inaugural class this year. Upon successful completion, they will earn credit for high school Robotics 1.

Filip Dudic, who teaches Applied Technology and Robotics at MacArthur, says participating in robotics opportunities is beneficial whether students think they want to pursue STEM careers or not. “We are reinforcing creativity, problem solving and other critical thinking skills that are required in almost any job,” he says, adding that students are “working together, super engaged and having fun.”

Throughout first semester, students in the class have been working together to build a robot that they will compete with in the FIRST LEGO League Qualifier competition, presented by District 214's WildStang Robotics Program on Dec. 17 at Lincoln Middle School in Mount Prospect.

In addition to the new class, District 23 has an extracurricular robotics club and a longstanding partnership with the WildStang Robotics Program. The WildStang team meets regularly at MacArthur, and its members mentor D23 robotics club members.

Dudic, who helps coach both the D23 and D214 teams, says the partnership has benefitted both districts. D214 has provided MacArthur with 3D printers and robots, and the mentorship makes an impact on the younger students. At the same time, it’s important for WildStang members from different schools to be able to come together under one roof and to have use of MacArthur’s robotics workshop and equipment.

Nystrom says that in addition to exposing students to STEM, the Robotics class has an added benefit. “There are so many great opportunities at Hersey, Wheeling and the other D214 schools. Taking a dual-credit class as an eighth grader helps free students up to take advantage of more opportunities over the next few years,” he says.

Nystrom adds that the new class has been well received. “There’s a lot of energy in the room. It’s a unique chance to find connections, which is so important in middle school.”