Students to Use Legos to Build Robots, Gain Skills

Would you believe the same toys you find scattered across your child’s bedroom floor could be a key to your son or daughter’s future professional success?

According to Troy resident Allison Kneisler, youth programs in robotics – referring to the type of technology that deals with the design, construction and application of robots – can instill in kids a passion for science and technology that could last a lifetime.

“They get to practice the skills they could feasibly be using their entire life, if it’s something they enjoy doing,” said Kneisler, 26, who runs educational youth programs through her business NRG Youth Focus.

Kneisler is currently putting together teams for FIRST Lego League, a national youth robotics competition for students in grades four through eight. Teams have eight weeks to design and build a Lego robot to complete tasks related to a given science and technology theme, and also complete a research project and presentation for a panel of judges.

As a Troy High School graduate who says she greatly benefited from being on the robotics team, Kneisler said she learned many of the local schools’ Lego League teams were full and decided to lead a team and offer the program “at cost” to the community.

“I don’t run this for a profit,” she said. “There is a great demand for the program. Whatever is best for the schools and the kids is my interest here.”

Interesting in getting your child involved? Attend an informational meeting about the program from 6-7 p.m. Friday at in Troy.

Who can participate?

Anyone who is interested, says Kneisler. The program is open to all students in grades four through eight and there are no prerequisites – just a readiness to participate in a team activity. “Children tend be really creative and they don’t place limits on themselves like adults do, so they tend to pick it up fairly quickly,” she said.

What are the benefits?

“The kids get a lot of hands-on experience that they don’t necessarily get in the classroom setting,” Kneisler said. “They also have the opportunity to work in a collaborative fashion and practice teamwork, problem solving and a lot of skills they’ll eventually be using in the workplace. The other major benefit is, students get the chance to work with mentors from the high school robotics team and me as well. I think it’s really beneficial for students to have positive adult influences outside of their family as well.”

But is it fun?

Lots of fun, according to Kneisler: “Lego League is unique because not only does it provide all those benefits to the students but it integrates a program that’s exciting and engaging to the students as well. It’s high energy and a lot of fun for the kids. Plus they get to work with Legos, and what 10-year-old do you know that doesn’t like Legos?” She said at least 60 to 70 percent of the time is spent working with the Legos hands-on.

How does it compare to other youth programs?

Compared to something like sports - which Kneisler says are very beneficial, too - the skills learned in robotics programs could be more likely to transfer to work life, she says. “If you look at kids in a sporting environment a very, very small percentage of children can grow up to be a professional in that field. In this Lego program there’s really no limit of how many children can be in the field of science and technology."

How much does it cost?

The program runs $220 per student, which covers all fees, materials and a team t-shirt. Discounts are available to parents who volunteer.