Robothink Adventures: Kids are fun!
I have a secret superpower; just don’t tell anyone. After years of secret training, I gained the ability to deal with (almost) any kid (okay maybe there was no secret training).
Ever since I was offered a job at Robothink, I’ve bonded with stuck-up kids, funny kids, mad kids, calm kids, sad kids, and happy kids. Each kid helped me get my superpower. But it wasn’t just the kids who helped me out; my boss (Mr. Moore) also taught me some valuable lessons. I want to walk you through my daily workday at Robothink.
Wake up - 6:00 AM
I wake up, take a cold and hot shower, play some basketball, eat a quick breakfast, and leave for work.
Work time! - 8:45 AM
The other workers and I help set up the Robothink kits before getting kids started on their build. I greet some kids with custom handshakes and others with a silly nickname. Many kids come into Robothink with a fearful atmosphere (because their neighborhood isn’t the safest), a sad face, or an angry temper. Over time, the other worker and I were forced to adapt to the uniqueness of every kid. I learned how to inspire bored kids and how to calm down kids with anxiety issues. Over the week I get with every kid, I learn more about them: about their favorite Mario Bros song (Peaches, peaches, peaches), about their obsession with RC planes, and the fear every neighborhood shooting brings them.
To me Robothink isn’t just about helping kids get their robot done; it's about creating an environment in which all kids feel safe and happy; it's about showing kids that life is more than finding a decent job and making a living, but finding your passion and pursuing it; it about helping kids beyond their robot.
Dang, now that I think about it, these kids probably taught me more than I taught them.
Lunch Time!!! - 12:00 PM
Usually Mr. Moore gives us money to buy lunch for everyone, and we all eat together. This is my favorite part of the day, we get to explore all the different restaurants in the area. We eat, we talk, we bond, and we have a ton of fun. Sometimes, Mr. Moore joins us too.
Mr. Moore has taught me quite a bit, too (incoming sidebar warning).
The most significant lesson Mr. Moore taught me is the hidden power of failure. I may write a blog on this later, I may not. Let me know what you want. But I’ll keep it short: Failure (when handled correctly) can be used as a stepping stone. After some time, I figured out these stepping stones can be used by others, too. I passed down lessons Mr. Moore and others brought me to the kids. Whether it's showing them that a broken robot is more than just a broken robot or explaining why complaining isn’t getting you any closer to getting the build done.
Sorry for the sidebar, let's move onto the second shift.
Work time (again)! - 1:00 PM
The first and second shifts are pretty much the same, but sometimes I get a chance to show the kids a little bit of my passion. I get to launch small rockets in a nearby field! The “Wooooah” (give or take a few 'o's) after a rocket launch is guaranteed (followed by a swarm of kids following the rocket as I yell, “Don’t touch the rocket in the air!”). I try to get the kids involved, too! I designed a glider that used cheap materials Mr. Moore had around (some cardboard, wooden dowels, and paper clips). We had the kids make the gliders, and they calibrated and launched them outside. Between 3D printing, glider building, Robothink builds, and rocket launches, every kid finds something to do at Robothink. Robothink is a unique organization that emulates the values of inclusion, community, and STEM.
Home - 4:30 pm
There's my day! See you tomorrow!