Sparking STEM enthusiasm: �̾��ƵBagley College of Engineering K-12 Outreach expands robotics opportunities for Mississippi students

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering continues to cultivate an energetic enthusiasm for technology and innovation in the next generation.

Bagley Robotics, the university’s leading robotics education organization housed in the college’s Office of K-12 Outreach, facilitates VEX IQ robotics competitions and provides fourth through eighth grade students opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology. This competition, which continues on Oct. 15 in Humphrey coliseum, helps students develop critical science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.

“The more I engage with Mississippi industry, the more I understand that there is a need for children to have at least seen robotics before,” said Nichole Peterson, program coordinator. “It’s beneficial when they enter the workforce that they have some idea of what these machines can do, and that begins in elementary school.”

Peterson said studies indicate sixth grade is the best time for students to begin working with robotics. In that age group, she said, children are more likely to continue participating in robotics or STEM programs.

VEX robotics students working together for a competition — Students compete in a VEX IQ competition at Mississippi State’s Humphrey Coliseum. MSU’s Bagley College of Engineering Office of K-12 Outreach provides fourth through eighth grade students opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology—helping develop critical science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. (Submitted photo)

To increase student interest in robotics, educators must be a part of the process early. For the past two years, Bagley Robotics has made significant strides supporting Mississippi teachers and schools by implementing robotics programs. By housing innovative teacher-training workshops and providing schools with robotics kits, the organization is removing barriers that have historically prevented wider adoption of these valuable STEM activities.

Kayla Hathcock, a computer science teacher at East Amory Elementary, is in her second year attending Bagley Robotics teacher workshops, where she learns better ways to translate the complexity of robotics concepts to her students.

“Each time I attend a workshop, I always bring back something new to incorporate into my program,” she said. “I feel better equipped to translate the complex materials, making it easy for my students to understand and prepare for future competitions.”

Esmeralda Arellano, a Spanish and computer science teacher at West Point’s Fifth Street Elementary, attended the most recent workshop. She said several teachers don’t have a starting point for robotics programs and the hands-on training and from these �̾��Ƶworkshops are essential to understanding the program ins and outs and what judges look for during VEX IQ competitions.

“Our school has a Robotics and Intelligent Mechanisms Lab and we already have the robotics room set up for competition,” she said. “We just didn’t know how to start or to go about competing. The comprehensive training in the workshops has increased our confidence, and we now have a plan to start implementing our robotics program. We even have plans to have a small in-house competition at the end of the school year.”

October’s VEX IQ competition is expected to draw about 30 teams from across Mississippi, Peterson said. Students will showcase their robotics prowess while enjoying fun activities at the Halloween-themed event.

“Robotics is engaging and fun for young learners and prepares them for the future workforce. By starting them on this path, we’re setting them up for success,” she said.

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