By Jennifer Christian

LASER (Louisa Area Students Educational Robotics) launched this year with a mission to provide students in our area with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills for life through robotics. LASER started their inaugural season with three teams of elementary and middle school students who are participating in Vex IQ robotics competitions (VIQRC). These competitions provide open-ended challenges that introduce students to the engineering design process and promote collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and hands-on learning. LASER teams attended their first competition on December 9th in Culpeper and will compete in Richmond on February 17th.

Purdue University alum and LASER’s founder, Jonathan Christian, is a Research Scientist by day who was drawn to the VIQRC format because of its student-centric focus. “Our role as mentors is to help teams navigate the engineering process from start to finish,” said Jonathan. “We don’t build robots for them. We encourage our students to Think-Do-Test so that they can ask the right questions and find answers for themselves for the open-ended challenges presented.”

There is an energy and excitement to the classroom on the top floor of the Louisa Arts Center, where the teams currently meet twice a week. Mentors Jonathan Christian and Seth Campbell consistently remind the students to fail often and fail early, because every failure teaches something tangible that can be used going forward. Students learn principles of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science as they assemble and program their robots. The mentors enjoy finding fun and engaging ways to teach important concepts, like the “ice cream sandwich principle” which reminds the students to assemble their gear boxes in the correct order (beam, washer, gear, washer, beam).
In November, LASER teams took a field trip to HDT Global in Fredericksburg to see real world robotics solutions using robotics. LASER students were able to get hands-on with robots, and HDT engineers answered questions and discussed the pathways they took to get to their current jobs. “Many of us started in a robotics club just like you,” HDT Senior Engineer Manager, Kathryn Lybarger , told the students.

The long term value of student-led robotics clubs is evident to the parents as well. Lauren Cunningham, parent of a LASER student said, “My nine‐year‐old son is continually being asked to examine problems from multiple angles to find the best solution. LASER is providing students with the invaluable understanding that their career aspirations are likely going to involve teamwork. LASER students are excited to participate, often researching and discussing ideas outside their practice time, and cannot wait to get back to robotics practices. This generates ingenuity, passion and perseverance which is the blueprint for future innovators.”

If you are interested in learning more about LASER, you can follow their public Facebook page or email [email protected]. Their progress this season in VIQRC events can be followed on www.robotevents.com, look for teams 23093A, 23093B, and 23093C.

Jennifer Christian

Jennifer Christian is a Lake Anna watercolor artist and designer. Coming from the Detroit area in early 2019, she fell in love with the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding fields and forests. Much of her artwork looks to capture the essence of the lake and its surroundings. Known for her community-minded entrepreneurial spirit, she is the creative mind behind Lake Anna-opoly, a beloved board game inspired by the local businesses and organizations of Lake Anna. Jennifer’s game has become a local favorite and has brought joy to rainy days for many families and friends in our community. Jennifer’s paintings, prints, greeting cards, and other merchandise can be found in stores around town and on her website at jenniferchristianart.com. She has also worked with several local organizations and businesses on the logo and sign designs you see around town. Outside of her artistic endeavors, Jennifer is a devoted mother to two boys and wife to Jonathan Christian, founder of LASER Robotics and the LASA Soccer Challenge Program. In addition, she founded and oversees the Lake Anna Homeschool group.