Science students do the robot

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jbulger@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- As the scientists huddled around their robotic creation, they analyzed its readiness and determined which mission to perform. Decision made, they programmed their machine, which advanced toward the beleaguered townspeople and swept them up, guiding them to safety.

Then it took a wrong turn and smashed them into a wall.

Such are the travails of the Lego people and animals who populate Irving Middle School's testing facility for their robotic creations. The four student teams will compete Dec. 5-6 at Idaho State University's Student Union Building in the regional tournament of the First Lego League's 2008 Climate Connections.

Irving will send four teams to the competition, in which students must devise robots that can accomplish as many missions as possible in two-and-one-half minutes.

The girls from Team BDNC showed off their streamlined robot's skills as it successfully moved objects from one sector to another and returned to base. With another week to prepare, they are still working out the fine details -- such as not crushing the innocent Lego townsfolk.

But the robot nearly pushed a levy into place. On the other side of the table, a boys team's hulking robot lifted an imperiled polar bear in its mechanized maw and roughly but safely deposited it ... well, wherever a polar bear needs to be safely deposited.

This year's climate theme is part of the competition's annual task to create a challenge that relates to significant real-world issues. Team BDNC has taken on air inversion, an issue that has local ramifications.

On the first day of the competition, the girls will make a 5-minute presentation to the judges as to their project. The girls have chosen to do their exhibition in the form of a skit.

The team will also explain their project's design. The girls have opted for a "less is more" design for their robot.

"Some robots are complex," explained team member Tiffani Betty, 12. "We tried it with a simple design and it worked just as well."

Guided by science teachers Diane Stinger and Elissa Novy, the girls estimate they have toiled approximately 50 hours on their project, with more to come next week before the competition. Stinger said the projects allow the students to explore and apply their science and math skills in a fun and practical way.

"This particular group of kids is gifted and talented," Stinger said. "They just love it."

The all-girl team of Betty, Jayde Cooper, 13, Lily Genta, 12, Anna Kaiser, 12, and Micah Kenney, 13, hopes its robot prevails at the regional competition so the team may advance to the state competition in Moscow in the spring.

"There were 49 teams last year," said Betty of the regional competition.

Team BDNC, a pseudo-acronym for "Bacon Doesn't Necessarily Cook," appeared unimpressed by the boys' monster robot with its Lego steam shovel attachment. But they are mindful of the importance of doing well, as they grudgingly revealed the real meaning of their team's acronym.

"Boys Dig Nerdy Chicks," said Kenney conspiratorially.

By John Bulger

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