Collaborating with local San Diego Boys and Girls Clubs, Team 812 brought peer mentorship and built friendships with younger students, and integrated others in the community into our team. These children live in our communities and are, for the most part, underrepresented minorities who are unaware of the importance of math and science.
Through a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) video and a demonstration of the Preuss FLL robot, we introduced FIRST to the Boys and Girls club. We had a tremendous response from the students whom all had questions, comments, and ideas for constructing a possible robot. Though we have not yet started the team, we are preparing and give them all an opportunity to be a part of FIRST.
In addition to FLL, Team 812 students also developed a curriculum for a computer literacy program for the students. Computer literacy is a crucial skill that is needed in high school, college, and vital in the business world. Starting from age five, students can work with us to build basic computer skills. The curriculum consists of interactive workshops, each an hour, on the basic operations for using Microsoft Office, proper Internet usage, and typing skills. To tie all aspects of the training, students, in pairs, put together a PowerPoint research presentation on a topic of their choice. This shows the value of these skills and give the kids a tangible outcome of their hard work.
As mentors for the Boys and Girls Club, Team 812 students are given the opportunity to practice their computer skills, spread FIRST in our community by exposing students to the potential of technology, and make brand-new friends in the process.
