Teens mentor kids in Lego robotics

Brennen Coulson learned how to program robots when he was in the fourth grade at a Lego robotics summer camp. His experience sparked a life-long passion for engineering and mathematics.

Now, the senior at Mountain View High is promoting his passion with kids at the same camp.

“I have an engineering mind and I want to get kids excited about technology,” he said.

The Lego robotics summer camp is hosted by The Bullbots — a FIRST Robotics Competition team based in Meridian. Brennen, along with 10 fellow teammates, is introducing fourth- through eighth-grade students to robotics through Legos. The teens mentor the kids by doing hands-on projects in programming and problem-solving while accomplishing challenges.

“The best part is watching the kids in action” Brennen said.

Kids learn how to assemble and program a Lego sumo-bot — a robot that looks like a car.

“You get to figure out how you want to create the best robot,” said Katelyn Tueller, a fourth-grader at Hillsdale Elementary School. “Its hard to find ideas how to make your robot the best.”

The three-week camp is hosting 60 kids from across the Treasure Valley, with 20 students participating each week.

The camp is a fundraiser for The Bullbots to support their 2019 robotics competition season.

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Andrew Reed

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