(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last Monday, Chelsea Kiwanis held its meeting at the Chelsea Robotics Club. Chelsea High School senior Airanna Griecci led their presentation to our club members, with additional comments by coach Steve Eberle.
Chelsea Robotics is a program available to students k-12 of the Chelsea School District. Teams of students by grade level include:
FIRST Lego League Explorer (K-3)
FIRST Lego League Challenge (4-5)
FIRST Tech Challenge (6-8)
FIRST Robotics Challenge (9-12)
Amazing Advantages of Participating in a Robotics Program:
- Encourages an interest in STEM subjects
- Teaches coding and tech skills
- Helps develop problem solving skills
- Builds teamwork and cooperation
- Encourages creative thinking
Teams start from scratch to build a robot to perform certain tasks tested in multiple competitions. Last year, the high school teams had to build a robot that shot a basketball into a hoop. Competitions are designed to find a winning team, but involve working with teams from other schools during the competition.
Chelsea’s team did very well locally, regionally, and was invited to the world championship in Houston, Texas. The team was able to raise $20,000 in four days to pay for their trip. They succeeded in Houston, winning the Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors.
According to Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway and the all-terrain electric iBOT Wheelchair, and founder of the non-profit FIRST, (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), “FIRST is more than robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future.”
In 1989, working with MIT professor Woodie Flowers, the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) was created. By 2020, more than 91,000 students on 3,647 teams participate.
At the beginning of the school year, the high school students work with the elementary students on their Lego competitions, and the middle school students on their tech challenge. In January, the high school students receive their challenge for the year.
Chelsea’s team, “Technical Difficulties”, is well on their way with their new robot. Everyone is invited to see what they have come up with on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 2 to 4 pm. Learn more at chelsearobotics.org
The Gourmet Nut Sale continues. This weekend, we will be at the Chocolate Extravaganza at the First Congregational Church, and at the Fishville Farms Craft Show and Market at Chelsea Fairgrounds
In addition, orders can also be placed at www.facebook.com/kiwanisclubofchelsea or with any Kiwanian.
