When High School started this year, the Brookings-Harbor Robotics class had big dreams beginning with the stated objective of the Brookings Harbor Robotic Science and Engineering Program to help kids learn advanced manufacturing, design, and computer programming skills. Students taking the course can expect to participate in programs including Digital Manufacturing, Computer Science, Welding, and of course several levels of Robotics while also participating in robotic competitions.
Students who sign up for this course learn to create solutions to very complex problems in engineering and learn skills like a valuable work ethic, determination, and dedication as they spend long hours after school preparing for their competitions.
This week Oregon State Police Detectives Allen and Keller honored the Brookings-Harbor Robotic Science and Engineering Program with a personal visit to share what the Bomb Techs do and how they use robotics and similar technologies every day in their work. What the students did not know was that Police Trooper Kennedy was a local officer out of the Gold Beach Patrol Office, who had taken notice that there were a group of students in his community who had taken the initiative to involve themselves in the future of robotics and engineering by participating in the robotics courses at Brookings-Harbor High School.
What the students and instructors also did not know was that Trooper Kennedy had recently visited OSP Headquarters, and took notice of a decommissioned robot that had been retired and was deemed no longer of use to OSP. Trooper Kennedy knew that the high school in his community had a robotics class and inquired about the possibility of OSP donating it to the class for study.
The class that originally had thought that the Detectives were just giving a talk about what the Bomb Techs do and how they had used the now decommissioned robot also did not know that the robot was theirs. Trooper Kennedy was paramount in the process that delivered this robot, complete with extra parts for the class to experiment with and to assist with its maintenance, as a gift from the Oregon State Police.
The class and teachers were, to say the least, extremely surprised. Many Thanks to Trooper Kennedy and the Oregon State Police for their partnership, care and commitment to local youth and communities.
