Carson Jr High Student Participants

The 2007-09 Cohort of students are engaged in the program at Carson Jr High School. These eighth grade students meet twice a week, at the Carson Jr High Media Center, on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:40 pm to 5:20 pm.

Program Facilitators

Mesa Public Schools
 Melissa Brace, Science Teacher
 Pamela Garland, Math and AVID Teacher

Arizona State University
 Jessica Hunsdon, ITEST Instructional Facilitator

Student Participants

Oscar Bio Oscar joined the program because he thought the robots sounded fun. He likes that the afterschool meetings are not too serious, but rather for fun. He likes to play sports, wrestle, and swim in his free time. Dalia Bio Dalia was first interested in joining the program because she thought that in the future she might be able to use what she learned. She likes coming to the afterschool meetings because she gets to create things and go on field trips. For fun, Dalia enjoys building things. One thing Dalia would like others to know about her is that she is shy. WesleyBio Wesley first joined the afterschool program because he was interested in learning about robotics. He most enjoys learning about Mars and the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT robots. For fun, Wesley likes to go on the computer, read, or be outside. He also loves to build things and adores cooking! He also considers himself intelligent and witty. Teresa Bio Teresa was interested in joining the afterschool program because she liked the idea of building and creating so many different things. She is enjoying learning about so many new things. For fun, Teresa likes going outside when the weather is nice, swimming, and also listening to music. You’d probably never guess, but Teresa doesn’t like to chew gum! Zachary CBio Zach was first interested in joining the program when he saw the first presentation and thought it was cool. He likes Mars and he likes building things such as robots. Zach enjoys working with the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT. For fun, he likes to play basketball and also enjoys playing with his siblings. Zach plays the euphonium in band. Janelle Bio Janelle joined the program last year and decided to continue this year because she learns new things and it gives her something to do on Mondays and Wednesdays. She enjoys getting to do something instead of sitting at home and seeing people she knows. For fun, Janelle likes to dance, talk, hang out with her friends and family and text her friends. She loves to smile and just be herself. Alex Bio Alex joined the afterschool program because she wants a future career in the engineering field. She loves figuring out how things work and also enjoys time to be with her friends. For fun, Alex reads, plays Guitar Hero, watches movies, eats, plays on the computer, and sleeps. She is very friendly and can make everyone smile! Celeste Bio Celeste was interested in joining the afterschool program because she loves to learn about other places and was interested in knowing more about Mars and rovers. Celeste likes being able to meet new friends and learning how to program the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT. Celeste loves to read and write or relax and watch a movie with her family. Celeste loves dinosaurs, robots, and buttons and her favorite color is green.

Ivan Bio Ivan joined the program because it sounded fun to build robots and this is exactly what he enjoys about the afterschool meetings – building the rover. When he is not in school, he likes to play video games. Wendy Bio Wendy was first interested in the afterschool program because she wanted to learn about Mars. She enjoys being able to talk to other students in the program about Mars and not be looked at as if she is weird. Wendy is an outgoing person who loves to have fun. One of the things Wendy likes to do for fun is find constellations in the night sky. Osman Bio Osman was first interested in joining the afterschool program when he heard about the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT. He enjoys the snacks (sometimes) and learning at the field trips. He loves, and is best at, playing sports. Darreian Bio Darreian joined the program this year because her friends who participated last year told her it was really interesting. She enjoys everything about being in the program. For fun, Darreian likes to play on the computer, participate in sports, draw, and play with her siblings. She always has a big smile on her face and considers herself to be loud. JaredBio Jared joined the afterschool program because she was interested in learning more about building rovers. She enjoys the different activities and having fun with other students . When Jared is not at school, she likes to hang out with her friends and family, talk on the phone, and find out new things on her computer. She loves to learn new things and considers herself kind and fun. Zachary KBio Zach joined the program last year because he had waited all his life to play with the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT. He is enjoying the fieldtrips and working with the robots. For fun, he likes to watch cable TV, play on his Nintendo Wii, read interesting books, spend time with his family, ride his scooter, and hang out with his friends. He would like others to know that he has a very active and creative mind. Cristian Bio Cristian joined the program because of his interest in working with the NXT’s. He enjoys working with other students on projects. For fun he likes to swim and his favorite color is green. Eduardo Bio Eduardo was first interested in the program because he wanted something to do afterschool and he interested in a career in engineering. He likes the fun activities in the afterschool meetings. For fun he likes to swim and his favorite color is blue.

Yamile Bio Yamile was first interested in the after-school program because she wanted to meet new people and she thought building robots was a fun way to spend some of her afternoons. She has always enjoyed math and science. She has a great time at the educational and interesting fieldtrips, and appreciates the opportunity to talk to others about Mars without them thinking she’s a nerd. For fun, she likes to play the piano and violin and loves to play volleyball She’s very outgoing – so don’t be afraid of talking to her PearlBio Pearl first joined the afterschool program because it sounded fun and interesting. She enjoys working on the robots. For fun, Pearl likes to read and loves to swim! KhoiBio Khoi was interested in joining the program in order to work with robots and programming one. He enjoys learning more about Mars and rovers. For fun, Khoi likes to watch television, play games, and demonstrate his skills on Guitar Hero! OliviaBio Olivia participated in the program last year. Her favorite subjects are math and science and she is thinking about becoming an engineer. Olivia enjoys working with the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT kits, using her imagination to create things, and learning all about the Universe and Mars. She is quite musical - playing the violin, viola, piano, and percussion, as well as singing. She also enjoys hanging out with her friends, her 8 siblings and parents. She likes all animals, with the exception of bugs. AndresBio Andres was first interested in the program because he thought it sounded great and would be something he could put on his college application. He enjoys being able to hang out with his friends. Isaac Bio Isaac was interested in joining the afterschool program because he was interested in learning about Mars, building rovers and a land of Mars for the rover to research. He enjoys the snacks and getting to work with his friends. He likes to have fun building while hanging out with his friends Jenny Bio Jenny joined the program because she loves using technology and loves math and science. She enjoys the afterschool meetings because she gets to be with her friends and learn about Mars. For fun, she likes to read, hang out with her friends, and according to her brother – spend time annoying him. She is not sure what she wants to be when she grows up, but she considers herself to be very good at math and technology, and also the coolest person ever! ErikBio Erik joined the program because he thought it sounded like fun and gave him something to do after school. He enjoys the snacks, getting to talk with his friends, and having fun with whatever work they are doing. For fun, Erik likes to play outside, jump on his trampoline with his brother, or play video games.

Monique Bio Monique was first interested in joining this program because she heard there were would be snacks, but after participating in the program for a few months she has discovered that in addition to the snacks, she also enjoys building with the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT, hanging with her friends and going on field trips. She likes to read, draw, collect things, listen to music and also, hunt! Monique can be shy in public, but around her close friends she can be quite hyper, making them laugh. Noe Bio Noe was interested in joining the afterschool program because learning about the robots and Mars sounded fun. He enjoys building and programming the LEGO® Mindstorms NXT. For fun, Noe likes to go to the movies. Jesus Bio Jesus joined the program because he likes robots and specifically watching them respond with the commands they are given. He enjoys learning lots about Mars and also making models. For fun, Jesus plays soccer and video games. Jeri Bio Jeri was interested in joining this program because she wanted to learn new things. She is enjoying learning about technology. Jeri likes to listen to music, go to shows, or hang out with friends, basically, anything fun and creative. She is quite a performer when no one is looking. TimothyBio Timothy joined the program because of his interest in robots. He enjoys coming to the afterschool meetings because of the snacks, the opportunities to build and program, and also the learning. For fun, Timothy likes to read, eat, sleep and sometimes play. He prefers to work by himself. Guadalupe Bio Guadalupe joined the program because she was interested in learning about Mars since it is a subject that she doesn’t discuss during school. Guadalupe enjoys being with her friends and working with the LEGO® Mindstorms NXTs. For fun, Guadalupe likes calling her friends, spending time on the computer or watching TV. Guadalupe considers herself to be an outgoing person who can be especially crazy in the afternoons or when she eats chocolate!