Scenes from School: Denise et Machinae

A glimpse into Mrs. Enloe’s Drones and Robotics class, where curiosity and collaboration take flight.

By Matt Zontine, Academic Dean & English Department Chair

About This Series:  Each month, Wakefield’s Upper School Academic Dean and Middle School Advisory Dean share reflections on the life of the school — moments of discovery, collaboration, and joy that unfold beyond the traditional classroom. We’re pleased to share some of these stories here, offering a glimpse into the spirit of learning that defines Wakefield.

They were not a chatty bunch. Their succinct replies are understandable, however, when one considers the immense task before them.

Mrs. Denise Enloe’s Drones and Robotics class was busy at work when I visited on a recent Thursday morning. In one side of the dining hall was Nicholas S., Noelle V., Sophie S., and Samantha E. This cohort were meticulously building robots to navigate the course under construction by Nate B. and Zack M. 

The construction of these machines was no simple matter. Using materials from VEX Robotics and detailed three-dimensional renderings on their computers, the students were building these items one bolt, one piece at a time. I interrupted Noelle to learn that she was on step 79 of “over 180-something.” When completed, these machines will navigate through a maze of obstacles while picking up red and blue balls and placing them in tubes. Zack explained that, during the exercise, the robots are programmed to “work thirty seconds by themselves with code” and an additional ninety seconds by remote control.

Even the building of the VEX course is no easy procedure. As Nate commented, however, it would be a “lot easier if you pulled out your phone to scan the QR code.” This response was not uncommon. The steady hum of worker bees assembling parts was occasionally interrupted by an exasperated request for a screwdriver or an exclamation of “There are the parts I needed!” Samantha, a veteran of First Lego League and aerial drones, mentioned that the challenging part of the competitions is the need to “communicate with your team.” Although the students were mostly working independently on this day, eventually they will assemble as a group to share their creations, and to communicate and work as a team to complete the challenges.

On the other side of the room, Eamon W., Vinny A., and Cole R. were using a hacksaw to cut up PVC pipe that would eventually be used for the indoor drone course. For the record, all students left with ten fingers when this reporter exited the scene. The drones for this course are roughly the size of a large paperback novel, in contrast to the larger machines one might see flying outdoors. As Mrs. Enloe explained, the machines are, like the VEX robots, both autonomous and remotely controlled.

Meanwhile, tucked away in Mrs. Enloe’s classroom/workshop, I found Bernard S. hard at work on a robot of his own creation. Even though this was his first machine assembled using the VEX materials, he has built other robots on his own.

This new STEM course was not only fun to observe, but also is the embodiment of Wakefield’s efforts to foster curiosity in our students. Mrs. Enloe remarked that the course is all about “making mistakes and learning to overcome them.” In competitions outside of school, it is crucial that students “learn how to come together as a team…and to work well with random people in order to be successful.” So far, Mrs. Enloe’s class is showing tremendous promise, and she looks forward to seeing the “leaders pop out” and guide the group. If nothing else, perhaps these leaders can locate that missing screwdriver.