Have you heard about the robotics class? Some of you might be familiar with it. The class is currently located in M-1, near the K math buildings.
This course provides students with hands-on experience in building robots, including designing frames and adding features like claws. A major component of the class is coding, where students learn different programming techniques and have the flexibility to modify their code as needed.
The instructor introduces foundational concepts and allows students to expand on them while providing guidance and assistance. Additionally, the class includes small challenges where students test their creations by completing specific tasks.
One part of the class that generates a lot of interest is the robotics competitions. Participation requires completing the necessary forms, and while not all students have attended a competition, it is still a significant part of the program.
The course is designed to keep students engaged while teaching useful engineering and programming skills, making it an exciting opportunity to explore robotics.
To learn more about the class, we spoke with the teacher, Mr. Perezchica:
Q: What do you consider your proudest achievement as a teacher?
A: “My proudest achievement as a teacher is watching my students graduate from high school and going on to college or getting into a career. When I attend the end-of-the-year graduation ceremony, it makes me very proud to see students I once instructed get ready to move on from high school. I consider the graduation ceremony a “rite of passage” for the high school students, into a new life.”
Q: Is there anything you wish you had done differently when you first started teaching?
A: “One thing I wish I had done differently as a teacher when I first started was finding ways to make my classes fun. I used to think that learning and fun were mutually exclusive–but that was a huge mistake. Research shows that students learn best when they enjoy the learning experience–they learn more that way. Fun actually enhances learning, which is why fun should be incorporated into the education of students.”
Q: Where did you originally want to teach?
A: “I come from the Palm Springs area; that’s where I grew up. So I always envisioned myself teaching at a school in that area; but the general Los Angeles area is also an area I enjoy being a part of, so I’m glad I moved to the Los Angeles area and found a great district to teach at. Los Angeles is a wonderful place to grow up and to experience as a young student.”
The robotics class first started as a club in 2022, with the instructor, Mr. Perezchica, serving as a supervisor due to his background in coding. When the class was formally introduced the following year, the school offered him a teaching position.
He holds a degree in chemistry and developed an interest in coding during college, where he began programming for fun. He studied at CSUB and started coding with Visual Basic 25 years ago.
Although he originally found teaching overwhelming, he enjoys learning alongside his students and exploring the many applications of coding and robotics. His goal is to help students understand engineering principles, coding, and the mechanics of robotics.
As a decently new course, the robotics class presents many learning opportunities for students interested in technology, engineering, and programming.
