Bright colors and bold letters cover the walls of Roberts Academy as a dozen eager second and third graders prepare to use popsicle sticks, masking tape and plastic cups to assemble a makeshift catapult.
At the front of the room, three Mercer University School of Engineering students give a PowerPoint presentation with instructions for the elementary schoolers. Afterward, the Mercer students, alongside their professor Dr. Sarah Bauer, assistant professor of environmental and civil engineering, assist the children at each table. On other days, Dr. Adaline Buerck, assistant professor of environmental and civil engineering, is there as well.
At another end of the building, a class of fourth and fifth graders works with Dr. Scott Schultz, professor of industrial engineering and industrial management, on a smart board to create a 3D model of a bedroom. Others sit at tables and work on an activity with the help of Dr. Sinjae Hyun, professor of biomedical engineering, and engineering students. In the corner, palm-sized replicas of their faces created from a 3D printer are prepared to be passed out to celebrate the Mercer students’ last day visiting Roberts Academy.
Robert Academy at Mercer University is a transition school for second through fifth grade students with dyslexia who need extra assistance in reading, writing and spelling. With assistance from trained educators, the academy helps students master literacy skills and prepare them to achieve academic success when they return to their home schools. Opened this academic year, Roberts Academy is the only school in Georgia for students with dyslexia outside of Metro Atlanta and the most affordable in the state.
Since the beginning of the spring semester, 10 students from Dr. Bauer, Dr. Buerck, Dr. Schultz, and Dr. Hyun’s engineering courses have come to the school every Friday during the students’ three-hour enrichment period with activities that teach the Roberts students about interesting aspects of a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. When they are not at the school, the Mercer students work in class on the Macon campus to develop the activities they’ll be showing the young learners.
The idea came after Roberts Academy students took a field trip to Mercer’s School of Engineering in the fall and toured the facilities. After realizing how much the students enjoyed the trip, the four professors worked on developing a collaboration with Roberts where they could continue introducing students to the world of STEM and all the career paths available in the field.
“When you have a school of students who all have dyslexia, at other times in their lives, they may have been told that they can only follow one path or that this path isn’t for them,” Dr. Bauer said. “It’s all about making sure that all types of students from all backgrounds are exposed to the possibility that they too can be an engineer if they want to and positively impact the world with their careers.”
While Dr. Bauer’s engineering students have worked on projects like building polymer bouncy balls, wind turbines, water towers and parachutes, Dr. Schultz and Dr. Hyun’s students have been teaching the Roberts students about the world of 3D printing.
“Hands-on projects where students actually get to create something were really important for us when we were designing this program,” Dr. Bauer said. “I think once they realized that they were going to be able to build something to take home and show their families and other teachers what they’re learning, they were definitely very excited and engaging.”
Dr. Bauer said she’s impressed with how quickly the engineering students have adapted to working with the Roberts students and creating activities that are tailored to their grade level. She said the course has taught them how to take the advanced concepts they’ve learned in their engineering courses and teach them to individuals of all educational levels and backgrounds.
Soleil Morris, a freshman majoring in environmental engineering, said her experience working with the Roberts students has given her a chance to return to working with kids, which is something she did in Sunday school before college. She said she’s enjoyed watching the Roberts students become excited about science and engineering.
“As you get older, science and math can get more difficult and discouraging,” she said. “So, I think starting students young and being encouraging and fun is good for creating a good mentality about STEM.”
Rose Gambrell, a senior majoring in industrial engineering, said working with Roberts students has been incredibly fulfilling for her.
“Getting the opportunity to work with the kids at Roberts Academy has been such a privilege. I have always been passionate about sharing my love for STEM with others, and this was the perfect outlet. When we are showing them new principles, you can see a creative fire light up in their eyes. I couldn’t believe some of the ideas they were producing, and what they wanted to 3D print next,” Gambrell said. “It has been such a rewarding experience getting to watch them be entranced and excited about engineering the way I was when I was a kid, and I cannot wait to see what they grow up to do.”
