Robotics at College for Kids Space Challenge

March 25, 2015

Santa Fe College Community Education has launched College for Kids (CFK) spring break Space Challenge. This entirely new program designed to engage both students and SF's unique resources including an on campus planetarium and zoo. Students in grades 4th-8th have launched into an adventure of a lifetime as they explore the space frontier through hands-on, interactive, team activities.

During the four day camp, students will visit the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium. Coordinator and co-host of the PBS TV series Star Gazers, James Albury, is conducting a tour of the universe using the latest high definition full dome digital projection system.

Students are studying Kepler and Hubble telescopes and how they have enhanced our knowledge of the universe, as well as, virtually land on planets within and outside our solar system. In addition, students will be visiting the SF Teaching Zoo where they can see over 75 different animals, both native and exotic species. As students walk the quarter mile saw dust trail, they will record observations of the animal life and environments they encounter in a scientific journal.

Students are working in teams building and programming Lego Mindstorm EV3 robots to perform mock missions. They are learning about propulsion systems by constructing and launching their own model rocket. Then, using their zoo observations, students will create a self-sustained environment, called a biodome, teaming with life.