Robotics | Pete's Place

Reflections on Leaving Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy

Posted on 28 June 2024
/Under Robotics, Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy, STEM
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Today I end my third expat contract – the first was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the second in Dubai, UAE and the third in Brantford / Six Nations. What I find most interesting is in the similarities that there are between each and I am thankful that my life was enriched...Read more

Reflections – Failure is an Option

Posted on 21 June 2024
/Under Mindset, Personal Reflections, Robotics, Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy
/With 0 Comments

As I look at the successes and failures of our students – and my own successes and failures – I reflect on the thoughts of Buzz Aldrin, an American astronaut who walked on the moon… Adapted from “Failure IS an Option: Lessons I Learned From a Man Who Walked the Moon”...Read more

Developing Robotics Skills for 2022 FRC Season

Posted on 26 October 2021
/Under Robotics
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A few days ago, I read a post that another team was developing skills to build a telescoping climber. I find this interesting because we too have been developing a telescoping climber. (I’ll add pictures to this post later…) We are using three tubes, two PCV of larger diameter and...Read more

Broken Wheel Award

Posted on 9 October 2021
/Under Robotics
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Many of the robotics team members have graduated so this is a rebuilding year for our team — for many other teams too! Regrettably, the STEMley Cup competition is again cancelled (would have been November, 2021). So, our focus shifts to the 2022 season, we do want to engage team...Read more

Afghan Girls Robotics Team

Posted on 18 August 2021
/Under Personal Reflections, Robotics, STEAM, STEM
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“Our neighbours thought I was the reason for my father’s death. They said that if I had not been on the robotics team, this might not have happened to him.” “I always listen to my own calling. I think I must represent not only my own voice and beliefs, but...Read more

Video Production and Camtasia Studio

Posted on 11 August 2021
/Under Assessment and Evaluation, Camtasia Studio, Mathematics, Robotics, SCORM
/With 0 Comments

Though I was reasonably competent in the use of (earlier) versions of Camtasia Studio, I did take advantage of the certification courses accompanying the upgrade to Camtasia Studio 2021. This week, I completed two Camtasia 2021 certifications (1, 2). I learned much by doing so and expect to continue to try some...Read more

Robotics for 2021-2022

Posted on 1 August 2021
/Under Robotics
/With 0 Comments

I look forward to the upcoming academic year teaching Grade 9 and a Grade 11 Robotics courses and with the anticipated return to First Robotics (FRC) competitions. There is much for the team to do both before the kit-and-kickoff on January 8, 2022 and after. I long ago realized that...Read more

First Robotics / Christina McAuliffe Silver Dollar

Posted on 17 March 2021
/Under Instructional Leadership, Personal Reflections, Robotics
/With 0 Comments

First Robotics collaborated with the US Mint to create a comemorative coin featuring a teacher lost in a space shuttle explosion, Cristina McAuliffe. Notice the powerful message at the top of this silver dollar (and the first robotics logo)… Mine just arrived today.Read more

Learning CAD (Computer-aided Design) leading to CNC Router use

Posted on 4 October 2020
/Under Robotics
/With 0 Comments

I’ve been working my way through a short-course on Fusion 360 CAD/CAM – trying some of the things in the video demonstrations in Fusion 360 as I go. I think that I now have some rudimentary skills that can be used now so when it is time to test the...Read more

Covid-19 and Return-to-School (2)

Posted on 14 August 2020
/Under Covid-19, Robotics, Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy
/With 0 Comments

Today, I spent an hour with a health and safety expert, the principal and vice-principal and assorted others. They had a look at the robotics lab which is divided into two areas: a classroom area with 9 student tables and a lab area with various work benches, table saw, chop saw,...Read more

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