For the upper elementary and middle school children, nothing says awesome science like robotics. SDRA has developed a "Robotics University" where the students can earn their degree in NXT Robotics. The excitement that follows the exploratory, hands-on robotics is invaluable for keeping students interested in STEM.

The concepts taught through our robotics fit high school and college level physics standards. In fact, similar NXT Robotics classes have been taught as part of the Augustana College computer science major. Our curriculum splits into two branches: building and programming. Each branch is set up like a university major, with introductory or 100 level classes, intermediate or 200 level classes, and advanced or 300 level classes.

STEM, while available to and "doable" by all students, is a discipline that does require a little existing knowledge to understand some of the more advanced concepts. This is why many of our NXT Robotics classes have "prerequisites," just as college classes often have prerequisites. We want to ensure that the students in the more advanced classes have the necessary background knowledge, to avoid feeling out of place or confused by the concepts. Typically, prerequisites only apply to advancing a level, within each level students are free to pick and chose which classes interest them. We also work with students and parents to find the right level based on past experience. Each hour is divided into the four "E"s, our four main sections: engage - we "hook" the kids with an interesting view of physics, educate - learning the basic concepts behind the science, engineer - designing our robots or programs, and explore - completing our robot challenge. All along the way we talk about practicing "good science:" accurate measurements, hypothesizing and testing, result verification, and variable control.

SDRA tries to offer a variety of classes on all levels throughout the year. Check out our current listings here.