Girl Scouts build, program working robots
Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, September 5, 2007
What do you get when you mix techno-savvy Girl Scouts with LEGO building blocks? The answer is LEGO MINDSTORMS robots.
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program staff and volunteers recently worked with members ages 9 to 11 at Camp Casa Mare. The girls used kits to build a robot at resident camp and then programmed their robots to accomplish simple tasks, such as moving objects.
"I really like building the robots. It's fun to do, especially with friends," said Sydney Blackburn. "I can't wait to be on a First LEGO League team so we can build robots the way we think they'll work best. I also want to do more programs to make the robots do things."
San Jacinto Council is currently recruiting girls to participate in First LEGO League teams this fall. The imaginations of these future scientists and engineers will guide them to design, build and program the robots while researching challenges facing today's scientists.
The year's theme for First LEGO League is "Energy Resources - Meeting the Global Demand." The girls will seek answers as to how energy choices impact the environment and economy as well as life on the planet.
With limited assistance from their adult mentors, these Girl Scout League teams will seek the answers to global energy conservation.
Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to participate in tournaments and compete with their peers in a high-energy, "sports-like" atmosphere. Awards will be presented in a variety of categories, including Robot Design, Presentation, Robot Performance and Teamwork.
"It is important that girls know that they are problem solvers with the capacity to build and construct things," said Robotics program coordinator and volunteer Jo Blackburn. "This program combines math, engineering and programming all in one package."
"I like to draw, build and design things, but I'm looking forward to one day becoming a veterinarian. Maybe one day I can build robotic limbs for animals," said 9-year-old Sydney Blackburn.
Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's preeminent organization for girls, with a membership of more than 3.5 million girls and adults. Today, as when founded in 1912, GSUSA helps cultivate values, social conscience, and self-esteem in young girls, while also teaching them critical life skills that will enable them to succeed as adults. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Chartered by GSUSA to provide Girl Scouting locally, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the country serving more than 63,000 members and 18,000 adults in 25 southeast Texas counties.
For more information, call 713-292-0300 or access www.gssjc.org.