Tonight we  separated into two groups – Missions and The Robot.  The team members read through the mission rules while physically moving the game pieces. Then, as a tip I read . . . somewhere? . . .  They used post it notes to keep track of the points for each mission. They found out some of the specifics that we had not learned before – mainly that only one eye needs to be moved for credit.  We read some of the mission rule findings on line and learned a couple of other ideas that we had talked about had been ok’d. It was interesting to listen to the team members think through the missions – see the ah-ha moments, and have them verbally talk about the movement of the robot and the programming needed. 

In the living room – the other half of the team was busy creating a robot for the team.  They were using the instructions that came with the kit to for a basic build. In less than an hour they had the entire robot assembled with the sensors on board. Amazing! They are not brimming to to the rim with modification ideas.

They went home with the homework to form questions for OHSU regarding our project idea – and to research the NXT Mindstorm Mechanical Arms to pick up and drop off game items.

My only point of stress now is entertaining my own 9 year old son . . . who has been exposed to the ideas of the meeting all week – and is excited to have kids over to play with on Friday nights. . . .  We had a little family meeting over pizza and desert tonight and came up with a game plan for him.  Even if he doesn’t quite want to be on the team – there really isn’t a place for him to go.  I did have a mom volunteer to take him out in the Avon each week on Devils Lake and see if the trout are running by our house on Friday nights.  🙂 Good to have Great Volunteers!

My mom and dad were here tonight – so I’ll send you over to his blog for his guest photos and view of tonight.
 http://yuma2010.blogspot.com/2010/10/road-to-yuma.html
(Clarification on his comments – We are headed to a regional tournament in December, the State level is after – in January? – and then we could work up to a National level. 🙂 )

I think I’ll volunteer to play in the boat during our FLL Lego League time –