Being in school is not a hardship, and learning can be fun, TVA program manager Charles Spencer said.
So Spencer helps with programs such as EPB's Robo Expo.
"Somebody figured, how do I get students involved in a STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] program?" he said. "Well, let's do something with Legos. Let's do something with computers. Let's have a map and we've got to accomplish certain tasks. Well, what kid doesn't want to do that? They get involved because they have fun."
More than 150 students put Spencer's example in action Wednesday at EPB's first Robo Expo.
East Lake Academy, Eastside Academy, Boyd-Buchanan School, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts were among the Chattanooga and North Georgia schools represented, said Bill Copeland, EPB's director of business intelligence who hosted the event.
Elementary school students operated robots made with Legos to perform tasks such as opening pretend animal cages, and they had to navigate the robots through pretend manure to successfully accomplish the task.
Older students built larger robots out of machines and motors that they used to roll over obstacles and throw balls in a tower.
That exercise symbolized being able to roll over fences and take over a fort, said Graysen Pitts, a 16-year-old junior at STEM School.
He said the technology can help out in times of war or during a chemical hazard crisis.
"Robots can operate in a fashion, in extreme environments where humans can't," he said.
EPB staff who hosted the expo designed the event to encourage youth to have fun with technology, math and science, and to encourage them to stay interested in the field.
An EPB bucket truck blasted "Mr. Roboto" by Styx as students worked. EPB workers made sure younger students had a clear view of the larger, more advanced robots that older students operated, and everybody could see the robot EPB officials put in the garage doorway that utility workers actually use to dig in areas with rough terrain.
The event was set up similar to a competition to allow students who are considering a robotic competition opportunity to practice.
Ten-year-old Graysen Morris laughed and talked with friends, but he took on the facial expression of an intense scientist when asked about his project. He's planning to compete with his Normal Park school team in a regional robotics competition in December.
"We've got to finish one more mission," he said. "I'm trying to help out with the [robot] color sensors because I figured out how to use that over the summer."
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.