Over the past years, Sunjay, 10, came out of his shell as a result of joining the robotics club in Haslett.
The Haslett Robotics Club provides students with instruction in introductory engineering. This includes learning more about robots and how they are assembled. All youth, from grades two through 12th in Haslett, Okemos, East Lansing, and other nearby school districts are able to join.
According to its website, The club was established in 2008 with a goal to encourage youth to pursue a career in engineering. This year, the club had more than 200 kids who expressed interest in robotics and STEM. This is the highest amount of students who expressed interest.
“We had way more kids interested in robotics than the last few years.” Robin Celeski, head coach of the elementary team said. Celeski says that the robotics club has more than just teaching students about robots.
Celeski also has a son in the club, named Niklas. He is a fourth grader, age nine. He is part of the middle school Vex IQ team.
Haslett Robotics Club is comprised of 17 teams, with five of them being high school teams. Students from around and out of Haslett, including: Meridian Township, Delhi Charter Township, Delta Charter Township, and Mason expressed interest.
The club is completely ran by the parent volunteers. They work with their members to help engage in the research of different social issues and help support them. The mentors also work to help provide a mentorship to pursue science degrees.
“It’s not just about robots,” Eduardo Rosales, one of the middle school coaches said. “It’s about the skills that you develop from robotics.”
Rosales have been a team manager for the club for more than three years. Rosales and Eric Tuyilingire run a team together for the middle school children.
“We love to seeing our children learn and grow,” Rosales said, referring to learning the world of engineering.
“We love our kids and we love how they come out of their comfort zone,” Tuyilingire said.
Tuyilingire said that his son, Sunjay, came out of his comfort zone as a result of his participation in robotics. During the first few months, Sunjay didn’t talk much, but he was an excellent note-taker and from there he started to communicate better.
The club’s secondary goal is to also increase the number of girls that are in STEM fields. In 2013, the robotics club created its first all-girls team. Now, they have four all-girl teams in the club.
“We had a couple of all-girl teams, but they have the option to join co-ed teams if they would like,” Celeski said.
She also says that the club is willing to provide girls with opportunities and resources to help them think about careers in STEM or science.
The robotics club has changed the lives of many it’s members, like Sunjay. It has taught the members that it’s okay to try something new and be more outgoing. The teams have won a competition every year, both state and nationwide.
You can join the robotics club by filling out an interest form on their website. You must be between the grades two and 12 with a recommended background in VEX IQ, a programming application. Meetings for elementary and middle school students are Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Haslett High School.