For kids, Lego blocks are an integral part of childhood. For parents, that often means stepping on them at odd moments in the house.

As part of this summers childrens programs at the Stewart C. Meyer Harker Heights Public Library, Lego blocks are an integral part of the annual Robotics Camp, which took place from June 19-22 and again this week.

While many Lego kits allow youngsters to create cars, dinosaurs or bridges, the kits used at the camp included pulleys, gears, and electronic components which allowed those in attendance to build their own robots.

The early afternoon session each day brought together ages 7-9, working in teams. The later session paired off those aged 10-12.

Amanda Hairston, childrens librarian, led the groups in team building exercises. Sitting back to back, the pairs were given what Hairston jokingly called, Baggies of doom. They contained random sets of Legos.

The partners took turns building something from the blocks, then described what they had built so their teammate could recreate it, without seeing the original.

From there, they moved to tables where laptop computers and Lego kits awaited them. Using instruction books, the teams worked together to find the needed parts.

They created a variety of projects, from airplanes with tilt sensors to alligators with motion sensors programmed with chomping sounds to highlight how the jaws snapped together.

Jordan Hamilton, 9, and Mia Dombroski, 7, worked together on Wednesday afternoon last week.

I like to create stuff, Mia said. Its fun to use my imagination.

Jordan agreed. We get to use computers and use batteries to make the robots come to life.

Im proud of what we made, Mia said as they tested their alligator.

A huge part of the class involved explaining the theory behind the robots, which Hairston handled well.

While preparing the youngsters to program their sensors, she reminded them of the theory of energy.

As it moves from computer to battery to motor, how does it change? she asked. The answer? From electrical to mechanical.

As with many robots, though, some needed a bit of troubleshooting, when they didnt function correctly the first time.

Hairston helped each team diagnose the issue and fix the program so that, when the parents arrived, they were treated to a demonstration of their childrens work.

Aidan Collins, 11, was taking the robotics class for the second time, with plans to enroll in the advanced robotics camp, to learn more.

He and his partner, Tatum Nails, 10, agreed, Its really fun building with Legos.

When fun is combined with learning, it brings smiles to young faces, too.

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Harker Heights robotics camp helps children build new skills - The Killeen Daily Herald