| Our 5-8th
grade students are involved in the
Adventist LEGO Robotics Challenge, which provides them with the
opportunity to learn about applied mathematics, physics, computer
programming, engineering, and design. They learn basic skills on how to
build robust structures with LEGO parts, and how to use levers and gears to
integrate into movable structures.
The students learn how to
write computer programs to control motors and take inputs from sensors to
create control software for their robot. They learn how to download the
computer programs from a PC to the portable computer built into their robot.
Once they learn how to
handle the basic tasks, they will be given "Missions" that they will have to
build and program robots to accomplish. Finally, in April, there will be a
meeting of all the teams in the Lake Union Conference to demonstrate the
skills the teams have developed where each team will have to build a robot
to accomplish a number of tasks.
The theme of this year's
Challenge is Climate Control. Each team must also do a research report on
the use of nanotechnology to improve the way we live. They must first
research Climate Control and find an application that is interesting and
will significantly impact our lives. They must then learn about the
technology and be able to describe it to a panel of judges. They will
describe how the technology will change their world.
Our 2008 team is called
the Grand Traverse’s Own (GTO.)
They will be designing and building their robot and programming it to do
most of the missions. The following photos show the team working on their
programming and robot design. The team will represent
Traverse City
at the Lake Union Conference Challenge in
Berrien Springs,
MI.
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