Lego Robotics, a new world craze
By Alannah Allbrett
Seven boys from Orofino, who call themselves the Clearwater Atomic Robotics
(CAR) are participating in a 4-H Club project to hopefully enter the
international First Lego League (FLL). They will compete in a qualifying round
for northern Idaho, Dec. 7, in Post Falls. The project was first founded in 1989
to “inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and
technology.”
Under the leadership of Ken Hengen (4-H Leader of the Year) the team is building a robotic car from a special Lego kit, known as Mind Storms NXT, which has a programmable, computer chip interfacing with special software created by the Lego Company.
The robot may be programmed to do certain maneuvers on a designated track. The track is identical to what all other competitors must use in the international competition. Each kit costs $380. The group works with one kit and has a backup in case of breakage. They are only allowed to use the Lego pieces which come with the kit.
The team had from Sept. 1 to Nov.1 to complete their project. During competition, the robot must complete certain tasks such as going under a bridge and avoiding obstacles. A point system awards points for tasks completed and subtracts points for mistakes made.
Teams average 70% boys and 30% girls. Over 6,086 teams are expected to participate from 48 countries. In 200, Idaho had over a 1,000 kids from 73 teams. There are junior teams, in some areas, for children ages six through nine.
There are four parts to the overall competition. 1. 4-H’ers must describe and
document the project. 2. They must give a five minute presentation to the judges
about their research. 3. They will have an interview with the judges about the
design of their robot, and 4. The actual performance of the robot completes the
competition.
The Moscow Circuit Breakers were the winning team in last year’s state championship in Idaho. They were invited to compete in Denmark for the finals.
Orofino’s team CAR will carpool with parents, Ken Hengen, and Assistant Coach: Dave Tucker to the event in Post Falls. They will stay the night and prepare for the competition the following day. The CAR group has a website where they will post their results:. www.car4-h.org.
The following are sponsors for team CAR, Ken Miller Logging, ManiYAC Teen Center, Clearwater County 4-H and Staff, Dean and Ellen Gimmestad, Clearwater County 4-H Leaders Advisory Council, Rex Theater, 4-H Extension University of Idaho, Valley Motor Parts, Les Schwab Tire Center, Brandt Lumber, Clearwater Homes, and First Christian Church.
Pictured top right: Brandon Bishop, Kenny Miller, Bob Nadin, Ken Hengen Dash Tyler (in back row) Dalton Chatfield, and Trevor Howard (l to r) are the 4-H boys from Orofino, who call themselves the Clearwater Atomic Robotics (CAR) team. They are pictured in front of the track table which follows international specifications for competing in computerized robotics tournaments. Not pictured is Allen Rowan.
Pictured bottom left: The Clearwater Atomic Robotics’ mock-up robotic entry. The computerized Lego Mindstorms NXT robot is still a work in progress as the boys continue to build and test it as they get it ready for the qualifying competition to be held in Post Falls, Dec. 5.