The Green Machine goes to Girl Scout Camp
By Kirsten M., July 16, 2010
Outreach
Outreach
Mentoring Girl Scouts
Mentoring Girl Scouts.
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The Green Machine contributed several members as mentors to a Girl Scout Lego Robotics Camp, helping elementary-age Girl Scouts explore their interests in robotics. Girl Scouts from the Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys came together at Camp Lockeslea for three days of engineering using Lego pieces and mechanisms. The mentors, including Emily B, Clara L, Kristen M and Michael W, helped the girls learn many of the dos-and-don’ts of programming software and various Lego mechanisms, including a lift mechanism that could raise an object vertically. Everyone started by learning about basic building techniques and why some shapes and designs are stronger than others: Squares vs. triangles were of particular interest. The scouts were introduced to gears, pulleys, and how to think about speed versus power when applied to a vehicle design. The participants were kept busy for three full days trying to meet the challenge of designing a vehicle and learning the advantages and disadvantages between front, rear and four-wheel drive. Once the basics were well in hand, each group challenged themselves further by thinking outside of the box on how best to improve their designs. By the end of the camp, the scouts were using touch sensors to both control their vehicles and operate the lift mechanism. Team 1816 hopes this introduction to robotics inspires these young scouts to further explore engineering and the FIRST programs.
