Central Park Elementary used to have a robotics and electronics program. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, causing the program to fizzle. Until this year, when a group of dedicated parents and the school’s principal, in conjunction with a corporate sponsor, revived the program.

“Everybody was still buzzing about the old robotics program,” said Cynthia Lin, who runs the new iteration of the program. “We actually didn’t have any comparable program for several years. There was a void for about four years.”

When organizers opened the signup after the hiatus, Lin said the program filled up within a couple hours. It filled up almost as fast this school year when signup opened earlier this month.

Through hands-on learning, the program, which serves 20 students, aims to ignite curiosity, creativity and confidence. Students explore foundational concepts in electricity, circuits, robotics, AI and engineering through experimentation. 

The program also extends learning beyond the classroom. Students were able to check out CrunchLabs Build Boxes each week, allowing them to use engineering principles to assemble toys at home with their families.

Yuleccia Ledezma is an engineer. Her son, 9-year-old Dexter Collins, is in the program. 

“This is like the type of activities we do at home,” she said. “All the ideas that come after they learn a certain skill, that is what I love.”

At an Earth Day disposal drive, students led a school-wide campaign to recycle old electronics. 

Santa Clara-based recycled electronics company RSD2 assisted the drive and sponsored the program, donating newly released LEGO Computer Science and AI classroom kit along with four laptop computers. The laptops provide students with access to 3D printing applications and specialized software that cannot be supported on standard school Chromebooks.

“Not only are they learning to code … now they can build in an AI component where they can have it learn as well,” Lin said.

With the program back up and running, Lin said the next step is to prepare the kids for competition. 

New this year is the addition of second graders.

Ledezma said she would love for her son to compete.

“Just being a part of a competition, not that they need to win, but just to have that experience,” she said.

Throughout the year, professionals working in engineering, mathematics, artificial intelligence and technology volunteered to share their experiences with students. These guest speakers shared personal stories and introduced students to real-world challenges and professional problem-solving techniques. 

Hearing from industry professionals allowed students to better understand how to apply creativity, critical thinking and collaboration across a wide variety of careers and everyday situations. 

Iqbal Chadda, Central Park Elementary principal, wrote in an email that seeing the students use problem-solving to make a difference in the world has been the most rewarding part of the program.

“Just as importantly, the program helps students understand that innovation comes with responsibility,” he wrote. “We are proud to provide our students with opportunities to be not only the innovators of tomorrow, but also thoughtful and responsible citizens today.”

Program organizers ask anyone in the community working on electronics, robotics or 3D printing projects who would like to share their experience with students to email cpe.electronicsrobotics@gmail.com 

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com

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