Google Hosts Kids Robotics Workshop
The free event was aimed and boosting kids confidence in their STEM capabilities.
A student works on assembling their robot. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
September 19, 2023, The Dalles, OR – Over the weekend, Google hosted a Kid’s Robotics Workshop on September 16-17 at The Dalles Readiness Center in The Dalles. The free two-day workshop was focused on providing a unique hands-on opportunity for 6th-10th graders to dive into science, technology, engineering, and math. As well as enjoy healthy breakfasts, lunches and snacks catered by Bargeway Pub & Catering.
The Dalles High School (TDHS) Robotics Team attended the event to support their younger peers.
Riverhawks Robotics volunteers, providing youth mentorship at the event. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
“I’m here to volunteer to help them learn to build and program and troubleshoot their designs,” said Colin Schector, a TDHS senior, who has been working with robotics since he was in kindergarten.
TDHS Robotics Coach, Chuck Webber, was also in attendance and noted how fast the students picked up on the programming and the importance of having robotics programs for students of all ages.
“This is the first time a lot of these kids have actually messed with metal robots, which is what they’ll be competing with if they do Vex Robotics in High School or College,” said Webber.
“It makes me happy to see this as the coach of the high school team. You know other’ sports have little league and all these steps that lead to playing in high school and college. We’ve got a really good movement of doing robotics in elementary and middle school, so now when they get into high school they can be competitive,” said Webber.
Students race their robots. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
The event also included robot races, coding, team building, and a presentation from Suzanne DePoe, a Google Test Engineer, and member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz about her career path in STEM.
Suzanne DePoe speaks to kids about her career in STEM. Photo Credit: Dawn Kuenzi
Dawn Kuenzi, Program Manager of Google’s Student Inclusion Programs, said she was happy to host the event in The Dalles.
Dawn Kuenzi holds up a completed robot made by a student. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
“Robotics is hands-on learning. It gives these kids a chance to actually touch technology and to challenge themselves. They learn team building; they learn leadership skills; they learn how to be inclusive; they learn how to assess their capabilities, make friends, and they prove to themselves over the course of two days that ‘I can build a robot,’” said Kuenzi.
Kuenzi said her motivation for leading the STEM program was personal.
“I grew up in a religion where girls don’t go to college. There was no STEM. And no one ever talked about what you want to do after high school. So, if I heard about other career paths and opportunities I would say, that’s too expensive, that’s too hard, too scary, too boring, too difficult, and I wouldn’t try. This program allows kids to try, and it allows them to make decisions about their future for themselves based on experience,” said Kuenzi.
Kuenzi said her favorite thing about the event was seeing kids arrive with trepidation on the first day and leaving on the last day energized.
“You can feel the energy change. The first day they arrive, a lot of them don’t want to be there. They’re silent and on their phones. But by the end of the second day when they’ve built a robot and they’re playing in a friendly competition and realizing how fun it can be, you hear this whole room screaming and yelling and jumping up and down and hugging one another. Even though they didn’t know the kids that were in their group the day before,” said Kuenzi.
A group show shows students with their robots. Photo Credit: James VanHoose
At the end of the day, Kuenzi says it’s about giving the kids a good day, a safe place to spend the weekend, and a chance to learn some robotics skills.
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