North Buncombe Middle School
Robotics / Project Lead the Way
Mina Haas and Aiden Millican work on a robot for the VEX Robotics Competition .
Corbin Cox and Kaitlyn Douglas use sensors to program their robot to follow a line autonomously .
By Stacia Harris , Communications Department
BCS middle schoolers have many opportunities to prepare for tomorrow through career-oriented classes and clubs . Career and Technical Education encompasses many different disciplines at the middle and high school level . Project Lead the Way ( PLTW ) and Technology Student Association focus on project-based lessons in math , science , and engineering .
“ It allows students to develop and use skills that are needed for college and future careers , like collaboration , problem solving and communication ,” said PLTW teacher Allison McDevitt . “ They are constantly working through the engineering design process , finding problems , adding solutions to innovate , and feel successful with their work .”
Ms . McDevitt ’ s students build and program robots , and some of those robots are entered into various competitions . She says her students learn to persevere through failures and collaborate to find the design or programming solution that will bring their robots to life .
“ I am honored to have a hand in facilitating their learning process , and I love seeing students progressing to make their goal into reality ,” McDevitt said . “ I get to witness young minds connect pieces of the puzzle , so they can say ‘ this was OUR solution , how we accomplished it , and how we could make it better .’”
Agriculture and Future Farmers of America ( FFA )
20
“ Students learn best when they connect what is taught in class to the larger world outside of school and are able to have hands-on experiences .”
- Dave Penland , Agriculture teacher .
At North Buncombe Middle School , students can count on their classes to provide practical , real-world experiences . One of these classes is focused on agriculture , and many of the students found there are interested in joining the Future Farmers of America ( FFA ) club when they go on to high school . The disciplines learned in the class are under the academic umbrella of Career and Technical Education .