Robotics competition providing an opportunity for children with learning difficulties to thrive

With digital competency now widely accepted as an essential requirement for the post-millennial generation, and an increased focus on STEM subjects in schools generally, there is also evidence of the particular benefits for those with learning difficulties and from disadvantaged communities who participate in these activities.

One such project successfully engaging children with these educational disadvantages is the SAP FIRST LEGO League, which will see teams from 28 schools across the country descend on Galway this weekend to battle it out to become the Irish junior robotics champions.

The SAP FIRST LEGO League requires the children to collaborate on a project submission and build a working robot, encompassing areas such as Big Picture Thinking, Project Management, Analytics, Research, Acting, Set Design, Collaboration, Co-Operation, Software Programming and Robotics. Matt O’Connell, teacher at Scoil Bhride, Shantalla, Galway has been working with a team in this year’s competition, and outlines the specific benefits of participation for those with dyslexia:

“Here in Scoil Bhríde, we are very much of the opinion that children who are dyslexic need to identify their strengths, their talents and their passions. To facilitate these discoveries the school community tries to expose the children to as many diverse opportunities and experiences as possible. For the past two months the children have been working on the FIRST LEGO League Project and on the Robotics and have been exposed to all the different opportunities that these two endeavours entail. It’s difficult to assess quantifiably how they are getting on but anecdotally they love everything about the FLL challenge. It’s that perfect combination of new information, appropriate difficulty and challenge and it has kept their interest and attention throughout. Those dyslexic strengths of ingenuity and resilience have been often called upon and they seem to be flourishing in the FLL environment.”

He continues, “It’s our first year taking on the FLL challenge. We’ve made many mistakes, we’ve taken many wrong turns and the learning curve has been steep. It’s been difficult at times. It’s been exasperating. We’ve sometimes felt inadequate, flummoxed, out of our depth and exhausted. But there have been many occasions of fun, excitement, deep learning and self-discovery. Without a doubt it’s all been worth it. The children plan to continue on their “Programming Journey” for the rest of the year and have already volunteered to pass on what they have learned onto potential Lego Leaguers in 5th Class. That, I think, says it all!”

Christopher Smith, IT & Academics Manager at Citywise Education, an organisation that aims to raise educational sights and educational achievement in young people from underserved communities in Jobstown, Dublin, agrees that children with educational difficulties can thrive in projects such as this, as they are encouraged to think ‘outside the box’ and develop their creative thinking skills.

He explains why Citywise got involved, “The programme has given us an extremely rewarding opportunity to introduce young people to robotics and programming, nurture skills that will help prepare them for a high-tech world and develop teamwork and analytical skills all in a thoroughly enjoyable and supportive environment. For young people growing up in disadvantaged communities such an experience can be life-changing.”

Reflecting on their participation in the project for the past number of years he adds, “Families in disadvantaged communities often don’t have access to the technology required to engage with STEM activities. Citywise has been able to provide a hub and a positive environment where everyone in the community has access to First Lego League, which can have a huge impact on their overall education and personal development. Has FIRST LEGO League made an impact on Citywise members? Just look at what the members of the winning team of 2012/13 season are doing now….co-ordinating this year’s FIRST LEGO League team, running STEM activities for 60 primary school children every week in Citywise with one looking forward to an IT course in university next year, another studying nanoscience in UCD. Five years ago this would have been difficult to imagine.”

Liam Ryan, MD of SAP Ireland explains their involvement in the event: “SAP Ireland are delighted to continue sponsoring the FIRST LEGO League. This is now our 10th year and the event has grown from strength to strength. The Digital Economy is real and it’s here to stay. Five technology trends have converged into the digital economy – hyper connectivity, supercomputing, cloud computing, a smarter world based on outcomes and cyber security. The FIRST LEGO League offers participants insights into these trends. It encourages logical thinking and problem solving. They get to demonstrate their organisational, presentation and interpersonal skills during the different phases. The robotic element is a practical example of coding in action. SAP employees are also involved in other projects fostering coding skills including Coder Dojo, EU Code Week and Africa Code Week.”