Guest Blog: Robofest, Stealth Learning, and Rodeo Spirit

This guest blog entry was written by Kathy Schow, one of the volunteers who helped to make Robofest a success, and a teacher at the Cardston Elementary School.

Clinton Blackmore titles it “Stealth Learning” when young people are programing their robots, then having to problem solve potential real-life situations. That was the case at the 2010 Cardston Robofest. The boys who participated had to think up successful strategies to solve the problem given to them by the judges. There was a debris field to clear, and a human to rescue. In the two minutes allotted, each of the young men made their best two attempts. Although none were completely successful with the task at hand, the participants were thinking hard and working together to improve their skills and problem solving strategies. Like cowboys behind the chutes at a rodeo, they gave each other advice, and cheered for each others’ successes. It spite of the fact that Cardston’s Robofest was a competition, all of the boys gave each other pointers in the practice area. What a great way to motivate young minds!

Thank you for your insights, Kathy, and for your help.