And What About Minority Kids? SciMaTech Academy Hull Middle School Benton Harbor, Michigan

And What AboutAnd What AboutMinority Kids?Minority Kids?

SciMaTech AcademyHull Middle School

Benton Harbor, Michigan

Benton Harbor, MichiganBenton Harbor, Michigan

Population—11,000

Lake Michigan College

Whirlpool Corporation

Benton Harbor Benton Harbor High SchoolHigh School

Spring 07-The FRC Debut of the Tech Tigers

Overcame mechanical difficulties

Tremendous help from Whirlpool

Hull Middle SchoolHull Middle School

350 students Grades 6 – 8

94% African American, 92% Free/Reduced Lunch

7 years on the state’s critical list

Hull Middle School (cont.)Hull Middle School (cont.)2006-07 launched

SciMaTech Academy

Two rookie teams

One went to Flint (state tournament) in December

DifficultiesDifficulties

One coach for two teams

Too many adult volunteers at the start

Coaches training held when school starts

Summer robotics camp not implemented

Year Two (07-08)Year Two (07-08)Two coaches

Two returning students

Two sponsors

Two tournaments

Two awards– Against All Odds– Rising Star

Gap—Robot DesignGap—Robot Design

Ours—last year

Ours—this year

Theirs—last year

•Team chose not to use sensors

Gap—ProgrammingGap—Programming

Very basic

Other GapsOther Gaps

Research SkillsPresentation skillsApplying the design process

– Working independently– Willing to be creative– Not giving up

ANY SUGGESTIONS?ANY SUGGESTIONS?

How do we deal with taking students from “Zero” to

tournament ready every year?

Thank you for your help!Thank you for your help!

Marian Prince, Counselormarian.prince@bhas.org

Mary Wilcox, Technology Teachermary.wilcox@bhas.org