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Rising Sun team wins robot challenge

Written by Register Staff

Friday, 29 January 2010

The Education Center of Rising Sun has been the sponsor and host for the
First Lego League Robotics Team from Rising Sun. The First Lego League
(FLL) is a global program created to get children excited about science
and technology. It provides a hands-on program for ages 9 to 14, uses
challenges based on real world scientific problems to engage children in
research, problem solving and engineering. The cornerstone of the
program is its Core Values, which emphasize friendly sportsmanship,
learning and community involvement.
Because of their hard work and diligence in trying again and again, the
Lego Robotics Team received a trophy for the high score in the Robot
Game. They actually had the top two scores of the Robot Games, scoring
215 points on their first run and 240 points on their third run. I
couldnt be more proud of these students ... to see them work so hard
and to be able to come away with a trophy on their first competition was
such a job. The students worked so hard and the support and
encouragement from parents was extraordinary, stated Debbie Thomason,
EcO15 Coordinator and one of the team coaches.
The challenge started in early October where students worked in teams to
1) build a robot to carry out pre-designed missions in 2 minutes and 30
seconds and 2) analyze, research, and invent a solution to a real world
problem. This year the problem was transportation. Students researched
problems with transportation in our area and worked on designing a
vehicle which would address those problems.
The culmination of all their hard work was the participation in an FLL
competition in Columbus - much like a high energy sporting event.
Referees monitor and score the Robot Game. The Robot Game consists of
three rounds in which the best run of the three is scored. Judges review
team presentations. The competition was full of excitement that
celebrates the work the children have done throughout the season.
In December, the team traveled to the Learning Center in Columbus for
their first competition. The year had been one of learning a lot of
patience and determination. The main theme for the team members from
Rising Sun was through it all to have fun. Part of their Core Values
was to share their experience with others. The Lego Team was able to
give, demonstrations to two different groups in the Fall. First they
were present at the Education Center of Rising Sun open house and
demonstrated the Lego Robot. They also gave a demonstration the week of
their competition to the EcO 15 monthly coordinators meeting which was
held in Rising Sun.
Team members for the 2009 Lego Robotic Team were: Cody Bruce, Derek
Stahl, Haley Earls, Nate Earls, Ty Walton and Logan Lozier. Coaches
were: Debbie Thomason, Janie Eldridge and Larry Bailey.
They will begin meeting again in February and would encourage others to
participate. If you would like more information about Lego Robotics or
would have a child interested in working with the Lego Mindstorm Robot
or interested in being on a team for next year, please contact Debbie at
the Education Center of Rising Sun, 812-438-2437.

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