Rising sixth- and seventh-graders at LaVergne Middle School recently spent 11 days exploring the world of coding.

The free coding camp started with a field trip to the Calsonic plant in nearby Shelbyville, where students observed the internal workings of robotics in the workplace, and the Engineering and Technology Department at Middle Tennessee State University.

Attendees saw a prototype design for large-scale robotics, while visiting MTSU.

Students then had to decide which area — robotics, webpage, apps, Boxiels or Makey Makey — to focus on for the remaining 10 days of their camp experience, LaVergne principal Cary Holman said.

“The instructors set up three different businesses,” Holman said. “Within each business, all five areas were represented. Students had to develop a company slogan and then work collaboratively with each of the five departments to prepare for the culminating project presentation.”

In a scene replicating Mark Burnett’s popular series “Shark Tank,” students presented their company project to nine judges on the final day of camp to see which would have gained the largest investment in a mock episode.

The camp, which was free of charge for students, took place from June 1–15.

PHOTOS PROVIDED