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Globe Unified School District STEM Site
Rockets to the Rescue & FIRST Lego Leagues
at the Globe Public Library
You may be aware of all the excitement surrounding GUSD and STEM these days:
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Our TigeRobotics team won their Arizona Regional Event on April 1-4 at Grand Canyon University and are heading to St. Louis, MO next week (April 22-25) to compete in the World Championships. We have been diligently raising funds for the past two weeks and preparing for the event. We were hoping to have a session after GCU, but these developments prevented the students from having time. We are truly hoping to have at least one club Friday between when they get back and their state competition in Prescott the third week of May. Busy team!
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To keep up with their adventures, don’t forget to visit our GUSD STEM Facebook Page, or The Blue Alliance Team 5059 page for live video feeds of the tournaments and video recordings from prior events.
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GUSD also participated in the 2015 Intel Arizona Science and Engineering Fair last week at the Phoenix Convention Center. We are very proud of our students and their performance against some stiff competition. Two projects have been invited to compete at future events this spring. We know they will be just as successful! Interested in the Intel Fair Cycle, visit their site to see what all the fuss is about! (https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef)
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Finally we are waiting with baited breath to see if GUSD was awarded the two STEM Innovation grants we applied for to bring both FIRST Lego Leagues and the Tech Challenge into the GUSD Robotics fold. We should hear within a few weeks and will be sure to spread the word when we hear. This will the time to start planning how your student is going to take advantage of this great opportunity! We can’t wait!
The first Rockets to the Rescue session was on Friday, Dec. 5th. Students meet on Friday mornings, for approximately 2 hours. Students completed the 2014 4H Science Project 'Rockets to the Rescue' ( http://www.4-h.org/4-h-national-youth-science-day/science-experiments-projects/rockets-to-the-rescue/ ) component of the program on January 9th. Students had a 'blast' building their rockets while learning about basic aerodynamics and engineering. Students examined the given situational problem and developed ideas regarding how the rockets would be able to deliver needed food and supplies to impacted populations in an efficient and effective manner.
Starting Friday, Feb. 20 sessions will entail lessons learning some basic electronics. Our goal is to see students gain experience in engineering and become comfortable tinkering with small motors, batteries, and sensors. We want students to gain experience in the mechanical aspects of robotic engineering. Strengthening mechanical competency will increase students' confidence when confronted with electrical wiring and programming tasks while constructing robots for the challenges set forth in the FIRST’s competition(s).
The FIRST (“For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”) organization, describes itself as “a unique melding of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) principals”. Their mission is “to show students of every age that science, technology, and problem-solving are not only fun and rewarding, but are proven paths to successful careers and a brighter future for all” Furthermore, “Participants master skills and concepts to aid in learning science and technology through innovative projects and robotics competitions, while gaining valuable employment and life skills.” “Students are significantly more likely to attend college, major in science or engineering, and be outstanding future employees and citizens.” (http://www.usfirst.org/)
The team hopes to introduce the ‘FIRST' Lego Leagues Robotics’ club program into the Elementary and Middle schools by the 2015 school year. The library ‘Rockets Club’ will serve as a means to acquaint students with robotics utilizing these entry level programs. The Friday sessions will transition from the ‘Rockets Club’ into meetings for the FIRST sectors begining as .early as Feb. 21 for the K-3rd grade students. The FIRST Lego League ( http://www.juniorfirstlegoleague.org/ and http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll) components of the FIRST organization is designed to introduce students to robotics through the world of Legos. Competition cycles for the Junior and First Lego Leagues begin in fall of each school year. We hope students will be well prepared for the 2015 season after introducing the field this winter.
