Posted: No, this post is not making fun of students at Mukwonago’s Middle School, Park View. Names can be deceiving. Actually, the Park View Blockheads, FLL team 29, was the name of the LEGO league team I mentored this past fall. Now I cannot explain my entire adventure in just one blog post, but I can summarize a few of the highlights.
The team was made up of seventh and eighth graders, only one of which was a girl! I could not believe it, only one girl! So I wanted to be a positive female mentor so that everyone on that team understood that girls can do anything that boys can (just one of the many things I have learned throughout my FIRST career). This was also my eighth grade brother’s final year of FLL and my parent’s last year of coaching as well.
The topic for 2008 was Climate Connections and our team decided to work on a problem with the winter roads in Wisconsin. During the winter months, snow plows, as well as drivers, need to constantly be informed of conditions on the roads. On some snow plows, temperature sensors have been mounted which can sense the air temperature as well as the pavement temperature. However, snow plows are not out and about all the time. So, the group decided that if they were mounted on shipping trucks, they would be able to keep accurate data all the times. This could be sent to GPS receivers in everyday people’s cars to warn them of slippery roads. It could also help the snow plows know when to go out and whether or not they should use salt.
On the robot side of things, only one team member had used an NXT before this season. However, by the end of the year they were able to really master all the techniques of building and programming. One of their best practice rounds has been posted on Youtube and can be seen here: Park View Blockheads Table Missions
At the Mukwonago Regional Competition, they took first and won the Champion’s Award and the First Place Performance (highest score on the robot). They had a blast!
Before they headed off to the Wisconsin State Competition in Mukwonago (it was so fun hosting it this year), I got to have a lot of fun working with the group to write their team video submission which was also posted on Youtube and can be seen here: Park View Blockheads State Video
The team enjoyed competing at the state level because five members had never had the opportunity before. They also won the Innovative Solution award for their road temperature sensors on the shipping trucks idea.
Mentoring an FLL team was so much fun this year and I cannot wait till I get to mentor a new team next fall. After being on an FLL team, mentoring one is just another side of the experience that encourages even more leadership as well as being able to teach and explain concepts. I also enjoyed giving back to other students like the mentors from the Mukwonago High School robotics team took the time and helped me when I was in LEGO League, just being able to keep the tradition going feels great. This has just been another small part of my FIRST journey.
Thanks to all the members: Aaron, Brandon, Conner, Kyle, Brian, Bryan, Anna, and Eric, and also thanks to the coaches: Mr. Linz, Mr. Scharles, and Mrs. Scharles. 
Comments