Generation Alpha has never known life without the Internet. Those born in the early 2010s never knew when groceries, clothing or technology couldn’t be ordered online and delivered instantly. While this reality remains a privilege, for many middle school students it means they have no context as to where these items are coming from or how they are delivered to doorsteps. However, that is about to change for CASE for Kids students participating in the 2025 All-Earth Ecobot Challenge as they embrace this year’s theme – “Package Patrol.”
“These kids don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, so they might think apples come from Walmart, but it’s only because they don’t know about the apple orchard thousands of miles away,” said Joe Paneitz, All-Earth Ecobot Challenge curriculum director and game designer. “This challenge theme will give students infinite opportunity to learn about the entire shipping industry.”
The prompt encourages students in fourth through eighth grade to examine and learn about an industry that will only expand as they age. During the Reveal Day on Jan. 25, students grouped into teams and worked with their teachers, who serve as coaches. They learned strategies and tips for their projects in addition to the rules and scoring system of the challenge.
Throughout the competition, each team will be challenged to design an imaginary world within the four quadrants of the game table using materials such as tin foil boxes, building blocks, plastic food and houses. Students will then use LEGO Education robotic kits to construct robots and navigate a STEM-based challenge with real-world environmental scenarios that explore how energy is powered and how materials are gathered within a factory and delivered to homes.
“We want them to be aware of all the complex steps because they need to realize there are jobs at every stop,” Paneitz explained. “They could work in a warehouse, be a delivery driver or be someone that helps repair and transport factory robots. There are so many possibilities and challenges that we are facing now that these students could hold the answer to.”
The 2025 All-Earth Ecobot Challenge Day is April 26 at the Leonard Merrell Center in Katy.
For more information about the All-Earth Ecobot Challenge, visit http://EcobotChallenge.com/.