MJ j's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: The Bot-tom Line: Research on Robots and their Sociological Impact
BASIS Advisor: Ken Galluppi
Internship Location: BASIS Mesa
Onsite Mentor: Ken Galluppi



Project Abstract

My project focuses on the development of a new robotics course aimed at expanding STEM opportunities for students in BASIS Mesa. The course will cover fundamental robotics concepts, including programming, application, and relationship to Artificial Intelligence, while incorporating hands-on projects to enhance problem-solving skills. The curriculum is designed to be accessible to beginners while offering advanced challenges to students who might already have some knowledge. If approved, the course could be integrated into the school’s official curriculum or offered as an extracurricular course. The goal is to prepare students for possible careers in engineering and technology. Additionally, the course promotes teamwork and critical thinking through collaborative projects and activities. To ensure feasibility, the proposal includes resource planning, potential funding sources, and input from educators and industry professionals. By establishing this program, the school can cultivate student interest in robotics and innovation, ultimately fostering a stronger foundation in STEM education.

    My Posts:

  • Come Watch My Senior Project Presentation on Saturday, 5/17!

    Hello all, and welcome to what is officially my last blog post! I've been enjoying every part of my journey, and it has been great to see everyone's comments supporting me and giving me recommendations. I am inviting all of you to my senior project presentation, which will go through my journey from the very... Read More

  • Unit 3: Electrical Engine – Oh No, My Battery is About to Die!

    Welcome everyone to what is officially my tenth blog post! As I mentioned in my last blog post, in this blog post I will outline what the third unit in my curriculum is, and all the information within it. Just a heads up, this unit is the one that is most likely going to need... Read More

  • Mechanical Mania! Unit 2 Review

    Hello all, and welcome to my ninth blog post. As I continue to work on refining my draft, I said in my last post that I would show and explain Unit 2.  Below are images of how the unit looks in my google document. As a reminder, if you are unable to see the images... Read More

  • Rough Draft – Robotics Curriculum

    Hello all, and welcome to my eighth blog post. This week, I have been working on a rough draft for my curriculum, and have it completely finished, save for a segment of Unit 4, which covers Computer Science. This is because I still need to figure out what software/program will be used to teach the... Read More

  • Trip to Ahwatukee – What I Learned

    Hello all, and welcome to my seventh blog post.  This week, I attended a Robotics Engineering class at BASIS Ahwatukee, taught by Jennifer Murillo. During the session, Mrs. Murillo provided instructions to the students, who were actively building a claw robot using VEX guidelines in groups. While they worked, I had the opportunity to ask... Read More

  • VEX vs Arduino – Or Is It That Simple?

    Hello all, and welcome to my sixth blog post! This week, I have been exploring kit options for the curriculum, primarily comparing VEX and Arduino due to their strong advantages for BASIS Mesa. While there are other options, these stand out the most. Here's a pros and cons chart for reference: I also added the... Read More

  • Robotic Discombobulation – What is What?

    Hello all, and welcome to my fifth blog post about my senior project. As mentioned in my last blog post, I have been working on determining what exactly will be in my course that I will present to Sara Kubiak, the Director of Academic Programs for grades 6-12. I have been working on creating a... Read More

  • The Creation Goes On!

    Hello all, and welcome to my fourth blog post. I am making steady progress through my project, and although I don't have many new updates,  I am continually working on finding what needs to be taught and explained in the course in order to create the best experience for the students that will be taking... Read More

  • Curriculum Building – Behold The Future!

    Hello all, and welcome to my third blog post! This past week, I have been meticulously working on establishing a rough outline of what topics my curriculum will go over. As a quick recap, I am making a robotics curriculum which will be added to BASIS Mesa's list of extracurricular subjects starting next year. This... Read More

  • Research on the Intricacies of Robotics and More!

    Hello all, and welcome to my second blog post! Have you ever wondered how many possibilities there are in the world of robotics? How about in automation and technology as a whole? This past week, I have been exploring the numerous possibilities and variations my robotics course could take. From looking at an online course... Read More

  • Research on Robotics Begins!

    Hello everyone! For the beginning stage of my senior project, I am working on gathering specific online materials that I will be able to use to help me build the foundation of this course. I will specifically be looking for other robotics courses that I could draw inspiration from. I will then use this base... Read More