Esteven Melgoza and Giovanni Rivera, fifth-grade students at CHSD170’s Roosevelt School, have developed futuristic, functioning robotic devices designed to minimize the amount of time needed to complete mundane household tasks.
The units were designed as part of the fifth-grade science curriculum in which students study technology design model during Science class.
Melgoza has developed a whisper quiet remote-controlled refuse collector that astonished his classmates as it traveled around the classroom collecting material from recent projects and affording students with more time to finish assignments.
Rivera has designed the Javier Dual Vacuum Cleaner/Refuse Collector, a robotic vacuum cleaner that works well on both linoleum and carpeted floors. The device improves recycling practices and is an upgrade of the contemporary vacuum cleaner model used to introduce the class’s Science unit.
Each unit includes a “Big Question” as an introduction that establishes the foundation for learning in the unit. The question posed at the beginning of this unit was: “How does technology affect our lives?”
Though not a class or extra credit assignment, Melgoza and Rivera decided to extend their lesson design outline by constructing working prototypes of their technology items.
When presented in class the robotic items worked flawlessly in achieving the outcome of their design.
"As a teacher, I am fortunate to be able to experience 'Aha! moments during the learning process by my students,” said Louisa Flamini, Roosevelt’s fifth-grade Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies teacher.
“I am so impressed by the creativity and love of learning demonstrated by Esteven, Giovanni, and all the students at Roosevelt School and look forward to the contributions of their many talents in the future."
Both Melgoza and Rivera, with the support and assistance of their families, are continuing their work in the field of robotics and invention.
Current projects include creating a smaller model of the refuse collector incorporating a sensor that detects trash on the floor, conducting research as a prelude to creating a card game designed to teach mathematics principles in an entertaining manner, and developing a desk-top robot that collects refuse as students work in class.
Lori Davis, Roosevelt’s fifth-grade Reading and Language Arts teacher, was delighted, although not surprised, by the students’ success.
"Ms. Flamini is constantly challenging students to apply their learning in fun and innovative ways, Davis said, “and our students are always ready to rise to that challenge."