botbrains2005

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: George Jones, leader/Mentor: Katie Hoptiak
E-mail: gmj AT pobox DOT com
Location: Warrenton, VA Challenge: Ocean Odyssey

Teams solve real world problems through robotics design and research at FIRST Lego League at Virginia FIRST Lego League State Tournament in Blacksburg, Virginia, December 4, 2005. Children have been asked with the challenge and excitement of designing and building an original robot in the FIRST Lego League program (www.firstlegoleague.com). On December 4, eight weeks of research and design will culminate in the FIRST Lego League State Tournament of Virginia where teams of children and mentors will demonstrate their problem solving skills, creative thinking, teamwork, competitive play, sportsmanship, and sense of community. Among the participants are the 9-11 year old boys from Warrenton, Virginia, also known as the ?Botbrains.? This action packed event is free and open to the public.

This years challenge, ?Ocean Odyssey,? calls for teams to research and present robotics technology solutions. The competition is judged in five areas: research, presentation, robot performance, technical mechanics of the robots construction; teamwork; and gracious professionalism. The highest honor will go to the team that best exemplifies the spirit and values of the program. Every participant will receive a medallion to commemorate his experience and dedication to the eight week process.

Founded by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was created to inspire young peoples? interests and participation in science and technology. FIRST Lego League is an international program for 9-14 year old children created in partnership between FIRST and the Lego Company in 1998. Each September FIRST Lego League announces the challenge to teams, which engages them in authentic scientific research and hands-on robotic design. Using Lego Mindstorms technologies and Lego bricks, children work alongside adult mentors to design, build, and program robots, to solve real world challenges. After eight intense weeks, the competition culminates at high energy, sport-like tournaments.

Since its beginning, FIRST has had a positive impact on students and academic communities. ?We need to show kids that it?s more fun to design and create a video game than it is to play one,? said Dean Kamon, FIRST founder. ?In FIRST Lego League, kids discover careers, possibilities, and learn to make positive contributions to society. Currently in its eighth year, the FIRST League anticipates its largest season ever.

Tomorrow at noon, November 30, 2005, the Botbrains will be in front of Rankins Hardware store in Warrenton, VA, educating the public on how they can make a difference in preventing oil pollution in our precious oceans. Could you please help support our project by giving us wider media coverage so the team can inform more people?

For more information on our project, go to http://botbrains2005.blogspot.com/
To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

posted by Unknown @ 4:10 PM