Student FLL Robotics Team

Guest Contributor:  Cari Jenkins

Coastal team "SNL" competes at the FLL Championship Tournament

Coastal team “SNL” competes at the FLL Championship Tournament

On January 17- 18, 2015, 117 First Lego League (FLL) teams from around the state gathered at Liberty High School in Hillsboro for Oregon’s 14th annual Intel FLL State Championship Tournament. They had been chosen out of 460 Oregon FLL teams (over 3,300 students age 9-14) who had competed in regional tournaments held in December 2014. The top 25% competed in the Championship Tournaments. Newport’s SNL-Super Ninja Legends competed in McMinnville in December and was one of the lucky teams chosen to compete in the championship meet with eight team members ranging from 4th to 8th grade.

SNL team members learn how to properly handle a kayak paddle

SNL team members learn how to properly handle a kayak paddle

The team has been meeting at least weekly since September to complete this year’s FLL Challenge – World Class Learning Unleashed. Team members had to research and develop an innovative solution to improving learning and education. SNL chose to research kayaking, and designed the Paddler’s Box Pro, which helps individuals new to kayaking keep the right form while paddling. Team members were able to take the US Coast Guard Paddle Boating class thanks to instructor Tom Murphy, where they learned about the issues of paddling and Tom’s paddle box approach. On top of the challenge research, the team also used a LEGO robotics kit to design, build and program a robot, which completes as many missions as possible on a 4-foot by 8-foot playing field.

SNL present their design

SNL present their design

As part of the tournament the team was required to present their robot and programs for judging, present their Paddler’s Box Pro to another team of judges explaining why they chose to design the Paddler’s box Pro, show their teamwork skills to yet another team of judges using the FLL Core Values, and then compete with their robot in three different competition rounds.

Members of Lincoln County 4-H SNL robotics team

Members of Lincoln County 4-H SNL robotics team

The SNL team was sponsored by Lincoln County 4-H and HC etc., Inc.  Team members include Trent Kinion, Isaac Kinion, Reegan Jenkins, Katie Hartsell, Daisy O’Hearn, Max Kinion, Marcus Lehrer, and Kaden Raever.

 

 

 

Cari Jenkins is a coach for the Lincoln County 4-H SNL-Super Ninja Legends Robotics TeamFirst Lego League Robotics is one of several STEM student activities supported by 4-H Youth Development in Lincoln County.  Contact your coastal county OSU Extension office to find out more about STEM learning opportunities for youth in your area.  4-H is a partner in the Oregon Coast STEM Hub through OSU Precollege Programs.

Sharing Salmon Stories Abroad

Sometimes STEM careers lead to amazing travel opportunities and collaborations. Find out where an Oregon salmon hatchery technician and educator is going this spring:

Guest Contributor: Joseph O’Neil

Joseph O'Neil leading an education program at Oregon Hatchery Research Center

Joseph O’Neil leading an education program at Oregon Hatchery Research Center

I never thought I would travel to the Russian Far East, and yet I now find myself a willing traveler to the Primorsky Aquarium and Research Center to discuss how we on the Oregon Coast educate our youth about the challenges of environmental issues pertaining to salmon. It is a once in a lifetime chance and I am anxious to share the wonderful work that is being done here to engage youth in shaping their future. The Primorsky Aquarium is located in the south eastern corner of Russia at about the same latitude as the coast of Oregon. The eastern coastal area of Russia has some of the most pristine salmon habitat left in the world, and the Aquarium is interested in establishing educational programs to address issues pertaining to salmon and their habitat. Look for more to come following my visit in late March.

 

Joseph O’Neil is the Senior Technician and Outreach Coordinator for the Oregon Hatchery Research Center (OHRC) in Alsea, Oregon. OHRC is a cooperative research project between the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and is a partner in the Oregon Coast STEM Hub.