Hands-On Innovation: Sixth-Grade Robotics at The Peck School

At The Peck School, sixth-grade students are diving into the exciting world of robotics—where hardware meets software, and creativity meets critical thinking. Under the guidance of Upper School Technology Teacher Bruce Schwartz, students begin their journey with VEX VR, a virtual platform that introduces core programming concepts in a simulated environment.

From there, they transition to VEX IQ, building and coding real-world robots to complete interactive challenges such as Tug of War, Freeze Tag, Soccer, and Castle Crashers. Each activity teaches foundational engineering and programming skills—like how motors and sensors work, how gear ratios affect power and speed, and how to use sensors to detect color or touch.

Throughout the trimester, students use the same base robot, customizing it with different attachments to adapt to each challenge. They test designs, iterate, and compete in friendly competitions—experiencing the thrill of bringing their code to life.

“They love testing, building, and improving their robots,” said Schwartz. “They’re learning how to problem-solve, collaborate, and really think like engineers.”

With an emphasis on both the robotics (hardware) and the programing (software), the sixth-grade robotics elective is a key part of Peck’s K-8 commitment to technology education—ensuring every student is exposed to essential 21st-century skills at each stage of their learning journey.