I just returned from the Robotics Club meeting at Encino Park Elementary School. When I arrived, Mrs. Pearce told me that there was a mandatory all-teachers meeting, and asked if I could talk to the kids for a bit. As luck would have it, I had a flash drive in my pocket with a few minutes of Space Shuttle and Space Station animation that I'd downloaded earlier today. So we trooped into the computer lab, which has a projector and screen, and I showed them the animations and talked about what was going on. I think the kids enjoyed it, because they were quiet and attentive, and several of them asked probing questions. 
When the teacher meeting was over, Mrs. Pearce and Miss Craig got the kids organized. Their task today was to organize into teams, name the team, assign duties, and build the starter robot using the Lego Mindstorms kit. Most of them finished and tested the robot by the end of the club period.
I brought one kit home and will use it in next Wednesday's RfG class. Here are some pictures from the work parties, including a finished and tested robot from Team 1.
This is the first meeting of the 2009-2010 club, and there were more volunteers, including four student volunteers from last year's robot club, serving as hands-off advisors. The club is off to a great start!
