Holy Name students learn about robotics

"How to Think Like Scientists and Engineers" was the theme of a week of fun and learning at Holy Name School in Omaha as Imagine Science Omaha brought its Junkdrawer Robotics Camp to the school June 12-16.

Fifteen students entering fourth through eighth grade this fall were encouraged to think creatively and use common items and engineering principles to build pneumatic arms, robotic cars and motorized robots that can draw on paper.

On the last day, students staged a car race and demonstrated their inventions for parents.

Imagine Science Omaha is part of a national outreach program to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

"It was a wonderful experience for the students and they were very thankful they got to participate," said Karen Smolinski, recently retired technology/STEM coordinator for the school.