Business Owner

// the program

I taught robotics at OwnABot Academy, leading hands-on classes where students built and programmed robots using LEGO platforms and block-based coding. I guided students through concepts like sensors, loops, and mechanical design while emphasizing creativity and problem-solving, helping them progress from simple builds to competition-style robots. I also supported curriculum development and mentored students in applying robotics to real-world challenges, fostering both technical skills and confidence.

// the monologue

The robot refused to move. A semicircle of fourth graders stared at it like it had betrayed them. “It worked yesterday,” one muttered, poking the controller. On the screen, a single block sat out of place, but no one noticed. Frustration built quickly, voices overlapping, hands hovering over the keyboard. So I stepped back and said nothing. After a moment, one student squinted at the code. “Wait… why is this here?” he asked, dragging the block into place. The robot lurched forward, then zipped across the floor, sending the group into cheers. Just minutes earlier, they were stuck; now they were chasing it, laughing as it bumped into a chair.

// program notes

• ✦Only when you truly understand something can you truly teach it.
• ✦To teach anyone, you need to teach them the way you would want to learn at that particular age.
• ✦Never leave a child unattended with a computer unless you want them playing Snake game for the entire class.