Novi Meadows Students Impress at State Robotics Showcase

Novi Students Shine at Robotics Showcase in Lansing

NOVI — On December 4th, the vibrant halls of the Michigan State Capitol were buzzing with excitement as four talented sixth graders from Novi Meadows Elementary School took center stage at the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning Student Technology Showcase. This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to demonstrate their tech skills to lawmakers, business leaders, and curious citizens alike.

Showing Off Skills

The talented fourth-graders, chosen for their exceptional programming skills, presented their innovative robotics program, showcasing the impressive education and investment into robotics at Novi Schools. Their robotics teacher, Tom Michalski, emphasized the importance of this event, stating, “We took these particular students to show off the investment that the community of Novi has made in the robotics program.”

The students had two main tasks at the showcase: they presented their program, affectionately named “Robot Dance Party,” and entertained attendees by teaching them how to operate a real industrial robot arm. “They were not intimidated at all,” Michalski noted. “They treated everyone, including high-profile guests like the president of AT&T Michigan, David Lewis, just like any other person who needed to learn.”

A Dance Party with a Twist

Derek Shi, one of the enthusiastic sixth graders, described the excitement of coding the robot to dance in sync with a song. “We wanted to make it in sync to dance. We would time the waypoints … to time it just right,” he explained.

While there were a variety of tech showcases from grades K-12, there was something particularly special about the Novi Meadows group. Instead of traditional Lego robotics, the students operated a real industrial robot, something that’s quite unique for their age group.

Stars of the Show

Novi Meadows stands out as the only elementary school team in the entire country using sophisticated industrial robots, which are usually intended for older students in high school or college. “People can’t believe that 11-year-olds are operating these things, but it just speaks of the quality of students and families in the Novi community,” Michalski said. “Our students are true stars of the show.”

These sixth graders learned to operate and program a Universal Robots UR3D, an advanced robotic arm used for various tasks, including a dazzling display of programming skills in their final project titled “Dance Party 2.0.” The robot was programmed to not just dance but also pick up a block and toss it into a bucket.

Program Highlights

“When it worked, people’s jaws would drop,” Michalski recalled. “It sounds simple, but seeing the robot accurately pick up the block and throw it into the bucket amazed everyone.” The impressive performance kept viewers of all ages engaged – young and old alike were seen exclaiming in disbelief.

Quentin Gedeon, another proud participant, shared his enthusiasm for coding and robotics. “It’s fun seeing our robot move and dance to the beat,” he said. His excitement was palpable as he shared how long it took them to create their program and the rush they felt during the showcase.

A Fun Learning Environment

With Michalski at the helm for his first year teaching robotics, his passion shines through, making learning enjoyable and engaging for his students. “It’s so much fun to teach robotics; they absolutely love it and want to learn more,” he noted. The friendly, dynamic atmosphere he fosters encourages students to delve deep into the world of technology.

As the students reflected on their memorable experience, they remarked on how cool it was to explain their projects to curious adults. Michalski pointed out the invaluable life skills students acquire through coding and robotics — skills imperative for future careers, no matter what the job market looks like. “The way they think, the problem-solving skills—it’s all so important,” he said.

The showcase was a testament to the dedication of the students, teachers, and families in Novi, highlighting how community investment in education yields exceptional talent and innovation. As future tech leaders, these young students are already paving the way with their remarkable accomplishments in robotics.