submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, Berlin Central School District
On Wednesday, January 21, Berlin Middle School/High School students in Mrs. Wetmore’s technology classes received a lesson from an unusual teacher.
Natasha, the 23 inch tall NAO humanoid robot, and her human partner Hillary Dee from Northeastern Regional Information Network (NERIC), showed students the future in computer programming and robotics.
Natasha is an NAO model produced by ALDEBARAN Robotics. She is equipped with two high definition cameras, four microphones, nine tactile sensors, sonars and pressure sensors, a voice synthesizer and two high fidelity speakers.
Dee showed students how all of Natasha’s moves must be programmed. Students then have the opportunity to try it out themselves using software called Choregraphe.
Natasha can walk, talk, do push-ups and can even dance. She demonstrated her dance moves to the song “Gangnam Style” by Psy, and old favorites like “The Macarena.”
Berlin CSD Superintendent Dr. Stephen Young dropped by the classroom to meet Natasha himself.
“It was fascinating to watch the engagement of the students,” said Young. “This is what really gets students thinking about technology and future careers.”