GE Energy Volunteers Help Build Infrastructure for Robotics Tournament

Loveland, CO (PRWEB) November 1, 2007 -- Community and GE Volunteers spent many hours this past Saturday building tournament tables for a robotic tournament at Berthoud High School to benefit elementary and middle school students. The tables have mats and FIRST LEGO League (FLL) missions placed on them for competition November 10th. With all the support fourteen tournament tables were built in less than five hours. GE also funded the materials used in building the tables. (photos (http://www.action-works.org/TableBuild.htm) )

Thompson School District is hosting its first state qualifying FLL Tournament November 10th at Berthoud High School, the district's Math and Science focus school. Thirty-four teams from Thompson and surrounding school districts will compete for the chance to continue to the regional championship. More than 260 kids between the ages of 9 and 14 will participate on these teams. Participants build and program LEGO Mindstorms robots to complete a number of "missions" and complete a research project. The program is organized under the First Robotics umbrella. Students compete at a Local, Regional, National and finally an International level. There are three different aspects of the competition: Robot challenge, Project challenge, and Gracious Professionalism.

"Once again we are overwhelmed at the community and corporate support for the robotic event," says Liz Rayment, Thompson FLL Tournament Director. "I was personally amazed at how quickly the tables were assembled. We never could have done it without the materials from GE, the space provided by Woodward Governor and the volunteers."

The complex design chosen for the tournament tables had the individual school teacher in mind. Normally these tables are made with 4 feet by 8 feet sheets of plywood and ringed with 2 x 4 lumber. This is less manageable in a school environment and does not store well.

Rayment adds,"The tournament tables will flow into the classroom and be used all year long for Talented and Gifted programs and after school programs for all students. This modified design can easily be moved by one person, can store in half the space, and can be moved in a mini-van."

Other local companies that have contributed to the event both financially and with adult volunteers are Agilent, and Woodward Governor. Rayment continues, "This event would not be possible without the generosity of these companies. The kids in the Thompson School District are very fortunate to have these companies helping them discover the rewards of math and science." Other funding and volunteer opportunities are available for other companies interested in encouraging math and science in our community. More information can be found online at http://www.action-works.org

In the Robot challenge, combatants have a course of 13 different challenges to attempt to complete with their robots they have built and programmed over 6-8 weeks of preparation. The robot runs in "Autonomous" mode or completely pre-programmed. There is no remote control on the devices. The software that is used to program the robots is a simpler version of the LabView software package from National Instruments, used in many local and national industrial companies. Along with the team members, each team has a mentor or coach that facilitates the team. The students must do all programming and building.

In the Project challenge, students complete a project based on the yearly theme. This year's theme is the "Power Puzzle, Energy Resources - Meeting the Global Demand." How do our personal energy choices to heat our homes, fuel our cars, charge our cell phones, power our computers, or even download music to our iPods impact the environment, economy, and life around the globe? Which resources should we use and why? Explore how energy production and consumption choices affect the planet and our quality of life today, tomorrow, and for future generations. Can FIRST LEGO League teams find the ultimate solution to this global Power Puzzle? The project must be done by entirely by the students.

A final component is called "Gracious Professionalism". Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.

About the First Lego League

FLL is the result of a partnership between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology) and the LEGO Group.. Guided by adult mentors and their own imaginations, FLL students solve real-world engineering challenges, develop important life skills, and learn to make positive contributions to society. Website: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/

About Thompson School District

The Thompson School District encompasses schools in Loveland, Berthoud, Masonville, Drake, the southern-most part of Fort Collins, the southeast part of Larimer County, and parts of Weld and Boulder counties. Over 14,000 students are educated in eighteen elementaries, five middle schools, and five high schools. Website: http://www.thompson.k12.co.us/

About Action Works

Founded in 1994, Action Works is an educational 501(c)(3) corporation that encourages math and science projects that engage youth.

Interviews and photos available:

Liz Rayment liz . rayment at coloradofirst.org

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