KINGDOM CITY, Mo. – Robots have invaded the North Callaway High School.

The good thing is that they were invited.

Math teacher Kevin O’Neal was inspired by his brother, who works in robotics maintenance, to create a new robotics and automation program at the high school level. The class is taught as part of an after school program that meets every Tuesday and Thursday in the industrial technology department of the school.

“This is my first year doing this so I’m just getting my feet wet,” O’Neal said. “It allows the kids to explore different concepts of applied mathematics that they have learned in the classroom in a way that is hands-on.”

The students in the program use their knowledge of mathematics, combined with a unique system of building blocks and computerized motors to build automated machines.

“What we do is we use LEGO robotics kits that we can use to build many different types of things depending on what we want the robot to do,” O’Neal said.