CHULA VISTA Talk about an explosive subject.
Students at Liberty Elementary School saw firsthand Thursday how toy-like robots can be used to defuse big-time dangers.
Members of Robotics Club got the chance to see two remote-controlled robots used by the anti-bomb unit of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department in action.
One of them, named Wall-E (Vanguard) after the animated star of a popular movie, delivered a backpack stuffed with books to visibly delighted fifth-grader Aladdin Bader.
The goal of the club, comprised of 24 fourth- to sixth-graders, is to explore how subjects such as science and math can be applied in real life, said its adviser, Baltazar Perez.
The students meet for two hours a week to construct their own robots, which can do simple functions such as pick up items.
"We want the children to see that what they are learning in the classroom can be used outside of it in many situations," said the adviser, a teacher at the campus.
Schools should encourage these kinds of activities, said the principal, Santos Gonzalez, to show that academic subjects "are not just boring."
"We want meetings like these to motivate our students," she added.
The Sheriff's deputies told the students that the robots are able to climb stairs and open doors and are used mainly to identify and de-active bombs.
The robots, equipped with cameras, are operated remotely and are able to carry out precise maneuvers, the deputies explained.
Deputy Dan Wilson encouraged the youngsters to keep up with their studies if they want to work with robots someday.
"The idea was to demonstrate what we do and for them to know that if they want to be a part of it they have to continue to prepare themselves, to pay attention in their classes."
alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com
