Boston Dynamics visited Miscoe Hill Middle School on March 6, bringing robots including Atlas, Spot and Stretch. (Photo Courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
MENDON — Innovation walked through the doors of Miscoe Hill Middle School on four legs last week.
Engineers from Boston Dynamics visited the school on March 6, giving students in the Mendon-Upton Regional School District an up-close look at advanced robotics and the careers behind the technology.
Seventh and eighth-grade students gathered in the school’s lower gym to learn about the types of robots developed by Boston Dynamics, including Atlas, Spot and Stretch. Engineers explained how robotics is used in areas such as public safety and industrial workplaces where technology can improve safety and efficiency.
Students then watched live demonstrations as two Spot robots maneuvered across the gym floor. The robots climbed over obstacles and even performed a brief dance, demonstrating how they can navigate complex environments.
“We appreciate them bringing such a memorable experience to our students by sharing the robots, their careers, and their personal journeys to Boston Dynamics,” said Miscoe Hill Middle School Principal Anne Corron.
High school students in Nipmuc Regional High School’s Information Technology Innovation Career Pathways program worked directly with engineers to operate the Spot robots. Students, guided by the engineers, piloted the robots through the halls of Miscoe Hill Middle School, navigating obstacles and even guiding the robots down staircases.
“Seeing the presentation and seeing Spot in person made me realize I might want to shift my career path to a more robotics-based role,” one student said. “I think creating robots might be exactly what I want to do in life.”
The visit also gave students the opportunity to ask engineers about their career paths and the skills needed in robotics, including mechanical engineering, programming and systems design. Engineers told students that many of their jobs did not exist when they were in school, demonstrating how quickly technology careers continue to evolve.
“Experiences like this show students that the technology they read about or see online is being built and used right now,” said Ryan Robidoux, Director of Learning and Innovation for Mendon-Upton Regional School District. “This opportunity allowed students to ask questions, operate the robots and see how the technology actually works. That kind of experience sticks with students.”
“We are grateful to the engineers from Boston Dynamics for taking the time to visit our schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Maureen Cohen. “Bringing this technology into the classroom gives our students a chance to see what’s possible and imagine themselves in careers they may not have considered previously.”
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