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Robotics teams get 2009 challengeEDMOND, Jan 06, 2009 (The Edmond Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Students throughout the state are beginning a six-week build session as they work on this year's For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology robotics challenge titled "Lunacy." Students at Santa Fe and Memorial high schools will participate in the challenge. Math teacher Randy Blackwood and his wife, Cheri Blackwood, are Robotics Club sponsors at Santa Fe. Michelle Madison is the sponsor of the newly formed club at Memorial High School. The "Lunacy" game is in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, during which NASA astronauts landed on the moon. Each robot will be required to pick up 9-inch balls and put them in trailers hitched to their opponents' robots for points during a 2 minute, 15 second match. Lunacy will be played on a low-friction floor to simulate the same low traction one would experience walking on the moon. "Lunacy is the most complicated and exciting challenge to be presented so far," said Harold Holley, U.S. FIRST Oklahoma City regional director. "To be successful, the teams will need to utilize teamwork, employ the unique skills of each mentor, and practice FIRST's signature characteristic, gracious professionalism." "Students have engineers, teachers and mentors to direct them in building their robot, and they also have sponsors, including corporations and individuals, who help through monetary donations," Madison said in an earlier interview. While working on the robots students learn how to take concepts and transfer them into working models. Students have the opportunity to learn skills in computer programming, as well as mechanical and electrical engineering concepts as well as learn how to use power tools, Randy Blackwood said. "Competitions like this foster and unleash creativity and innovation in students," said Sandy Garrett, state superintendent of education. "In a time when our state and country are desperate for more professionals in the STEM areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, projects like this are an effective way to nurture and challenge students who have an interest or talent in these areas." The challenge was announced at the 2009 competition kickoff, where 50 teams from across the state started the six-week build session. They will compete at Oklahoma City's regionals from Feb. 26-28 at the Cox Convention Center. At the recent kickoff, each team was shown this year's game field for the first time, and teams received kits consisting of motors, batteries, a control system and a mix of automation components -- but no instructions. They will have six weeks to design and build robots to meet this year's engineering challenge. The Oklahoma City contest constitutes one of 52 competitions preceding the 2009 FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Community volunteers willing to act as mentors are needed in the areas of computer, electrical and/or mechanical engineering. Volunteers are to contact teachers through their school. Call Madison at 340-2850 and the Blackwoods at 340-2230. To see more of The Edmond Sun or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.edmondsun.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Edmond Sun, Okla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |