Robotics programs continue to gain momentum in schools and communities, providing students with opportunities to explore STEM fields early on. It’s important to have the right tools, mentors, and hands-on experiences to spark curiosity and keep the enthusiasm alive.  

Casey Harwood and James Buchholz, professors of civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering faculty affiliates, hosted three events for students participating in FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics teams this year. The events were designed to provide students with hands-on engineering design experience and were held in the College of Engineering’s state of the art Fluids Laboratory. More than 50 students from seven FLL teams from across the state participated in the events. 

The FLL is a partnership between LEGO and FIRST Robotics, providing students opportunities to participate in robotics competitions and design challenges. This year’s theme is “Submerged,” focusing on ocean exploration and submersible vehicle creation. Students’ challenge within the “Submerged" theme was to “dive into a problem faced by people who explore the ocean.” IIHR’s world-renowned expertise in ship hydrodynamics provided a unique experience for students to learn from research experts about ocean navigation. They were tasked with designing a small model ship that could support weight and withstand waves generated by the lab’s tow tank— a challenge that provided opportunities to practice creative engineering skills. 

 Professor Harwood and Professor Buchholz, who specialize in ocean-related technologies, gave the students the context they needed before tackling the ship design challenge with their teams. The challenge was about creating the most effective design and learning how to work through setbacks, re-evaluate solutions, and improve upon initial ideas. After the first test of the students’ model ships, teams had the opportunity to refine their designs and incorporate feedback to improve performance. Some teams saw their ship’s weight-carrying capacity improve by more than 200% during their second round of testing. 

In addition to these technical skills, students developed an appreciation for the engineering design process. "Students gained a new understanding of how engineers approach challenges— plan, analyze, hypothesize, and remain flexible when things don’t go as expected,” said Professor Harwood.  

Professor Harwood and Professor Buchholz were instrumental in the event's success and impact, guiding students through the challenges and offering insights from their own research in marine science and technology. “The students benefited from applying their design, problem-solving, and teamwork skills to a new context they may not have considered before,” said Professor Buchholz. Professor Harwood emphasized the importance of making connections between students and real-world engineers, helping them see how skills in engineering and design apply to fields like ocean exploration. The students also experienced practical lessons in design and testing, helping them understand how failures, such as a ship capsizing during testing, are just part of the learning process.  

For the professors, the event reinforces the importance of engaging with students outside the classroom, helping to inspire students to explore marine science, engineering, and ocean engineering.  

By the Numbers

• 50 student participants in 3rd-8th grade
• 7 FIRST LEGO League teams from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Port Byron, Waukee, and Waterloo
• 3 events at IIHR's state-of-the-art fluids laboratory in the College of Engineering's Seamans Center