Going Public!!!!!

WE ARE NOW GOING PUBLIC!!!!! This blog is managed by a team member, on behalf of the team.
Hi, this the Team Multiplexers blog. We are Team #9057 in the First LEGO League. What is FIRST LEGO League? FLL is a national robotics league in the US and Canada, where hundreds of teams compete. Every September, FLL releases a Challenge, which is based on a real-world scientific topic. Each Challenge has two parts: the Robot Game and the Project. Teams of up to ten children, with one adult coach, participate in the Challenge by programming an autonomous robot to score points on a themed playing field (Robot Game) and developing a solution to a problem they have identified (Project). Well, this year the challenge has been dubbed "Body Forward." The real-world scientific topic is biomedical engineering (Fixing problems in the body using technology). You are probably thinking what robotics kit we use in this competition. We are supposed to use the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robotics set, and no, it does not look like normal LEGO bricks at all. More like LEGO Technic. It comes with numerous sensors, and there are lots you can individually buy. There is an Electro Optical Proximity Detector, which accurately detects objects and small changes in distance to a target. (Not in pic below.) There is a Ultrasonic sensor, which uses radar-like technology to measure distances, more commonly used than the EOPD. There is also a color sensor, which can identify change in color, what color something is, and follow lines of any one color. (Pictured below.) There is also a Push sensor (pictured below, there are 2 of them.) that detects getting pushed. There is a Sound sensor, which detects volume in dB and dBa. The NXT (The brain/CPU of the robot can handle up to 4 sensors and three servo motors. (Motors pictured below)

                                                  



OK, here's the themed field. The pic is huge.

The game field.

Yes, this picture is massive. Here is the themed playing on which we will be competing. You're probably wondering what you have to do on the field to get stuff. Click on the "Videos" tab above this post. Scroll down until you see a video titled "Scott shows Yoky the robot game, Pt. 1." Then watch Pt. 2. That video explains what you have to do to get points. Robot performance points, anyway. There are four areas that you are scored on: Research project, Robot Performance, Technical interview. Our research project is supposed to be on a human body problem this year. We researched Multiple Sclerosis. What is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple Sclerosis is when the immune system in the body attack the protective myelin sheath covering the axons (nerves, which communicate sensory and emotional feelings, and relay signals from the brain to different parts of the body). The myelin sheath allows the signals to travel well throughout the body. When the myelin sheath is worn down, the nerve ceases to function properly, rendering areas of the body unusable. We are also supposed to come up with a solution. Our solution: to send a nanobot into the body, and apply an artificial sheath that the immune system is incapable of destroying/will not attempt to destroy. We were thinking the sheath could be made of silicon (not to be confused with silicone, a material used on oven gloves for heat resistance), because it has a similar molecular structure to carbon and acts similarly when linking with other molecules. So that's our research project. What's Gracious Professionalism? Basically, it's good sportsmanship. FLL judges take this very seriously. You are expected to - well, why don't I just ask FLL? FLL says: "
Gracious Professionalism^TM
Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor and Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, coined the term "Gracious Professionalism^TM."
Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.
In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing one has acted with integrity and sensitivity." So if your team acts in a discourteous manner, or uses profanity, bad language, or violence, you will very likely be disqualified from the tournament. We are heading to the Regional tournament for our area ( Charlotte, North Carolina) on December 5th. Thanks for reading!!!!

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Daniel
(Admin)