Good News About Polk County Public Schools

This week nearly 200 Polk County Public Schools students are participating in Talon Robotics at Polk State College Winter Haven and Lakeland campuses. The event is comprised of multifaceted science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs that provide advanced and challenging opportunities for students to improve their skill sets in the field of technology. Fieldtrips included in the program also allow students to connect what they’re learning in the classroom with real world examples. Talon Robotics started Monday, with most programs running until Friday, June 29.

For two-weeks, middle school students will participate in “Eaglebots.” They will work with LEGO Robotics to complete three challenges: an obstacle course, a green city challenge and a sumo bot competition. In order to successfully complete these challenges, students will need to build their robots with consideration for the right design and learn to program them.

High school students are participating in “Technobotics.” The program is divided into two areas students can select to participate in. The first is a week-long robotics program. Also offered is a two-week long digital media program. Students in the robotics program will use advanced programming to create workable TETRIX robots, which are combined LEGO and “erector set” type robots. Students in the digital media program will work together to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for the TALON Robotics program. They will also create and design marketing collateral such as promotional videos, t-shirts, brochures, signs and logos.

Polk State College partnered with Polk County Public Schools to design, host and administer the program. Educators from both institutions created the innovative curriculum and are responsible for providing students with advanced and challenging STEM learning opportunities.

For more information about Talon Robotics visit: www.polk.edu/trs