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FIRST Robotics Competition at Chaiftez Arena Draws 35 High School Teams

The 2010 FIRST Robotic Competition at the Chaiftez Arena was played by two alliances of three teams which competed on a 27' x 54' field with bumps while attempting to earn points by collecting soccer balls in their goals.

The Robettes team (2177) anxiously watched the score board after the first round of the FIRST Robotics Competition.
FIRST Robotics Competition at Chaiftez Arena Draws 35 High School Teams

(L - R) Jackson Area Robotics team (2775), from Jackson, TN, sponsored by NASA / DeWALT / PTC, competed against the Robettes team (2177), from Mendota Heights, MN, sponsored by Boston Scientific, in the first round.

FIRST Robotics Competition at Chaiftez Arena Draws 35 High School Teams
by Betty Moore, SLFP.com
ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), March 21, 2010 - FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology by Dean Kamen, entrepreneur and inventor of the Segway human transporter (HT) and the iBOT battery-powered wheelchair.

The 9th annual FIRST Robotic Competition in St. Louis was held at Chaiftez Arena, March 19 - 20.

The event in St. Louis drew 35 high schools teams from around the country, including The Robettes from Mendota Heights, MN. As the competition got underway on Friday, the arena was filled with students anxiously checking and rechecking their robots.

While waiting for their turn, Alicia Albrecht, from The Robettes (#2177), highlighted the process of creating their robot entry, titled 'Eva'.

"We came home from this giant kickoff and began brainstorming for our design. After filling lots of white boards, we settled on a couple of ideas and then did the pros and cons list. After picking the final design, we decided to protytpe a lot less this year to save time for working on the finished robot. We made really nice time and finished a practice bot to take to small competitions and then this one for the St. Louis Regional competition," said Albrecht.

She noted that The Robettes name came about because they were an all-girls team from an all-girls school. The team of 26 girls, from Convent of the Visitation School, wore bright pink stockings and pink t-shirts to standout at the 2010 competition.

The 2010 game was played by two alliances of three teams which competed on a 27' x 54' field with bumps while attempting to earn points by collecting soccer balls in their goals.

"We came here to have a lot of fun and do the very best of our ability," she said as the loudspeaker blared out a running description of the action on the floor.

Each team's project takes on special meaning as it is being built. "We have a roller in the front which will hold onto the ball and herd it without breaking the rules of herding, which means you can't have posession of it. We also have a decent short-range kicker. On top of the bot, we have a hook which will attach to the end bar at the end of the competition," said Albrecht.

Each high school team has six weeks to complete their robot, which is then shipped to the competition by Fedex, as part of their sponsorship.

Marie Willette, from the Robettes, explained that every team gets a crate of parts including a couple of motors, electrical and programing elements. "Most teams do a lot of fabricating themselves to customize their bots. That means in addition to building a robot for competition, the students also have to do fundraising. We get businesses as sponsors and they like it because they get their name on the robot," said Willette.

The Robettes, sponsored by Boston Scientific Corporation, won "Rockie of the Year" in 2007. This year, they won the "Imagery Award" in honor of Jack Kamen.

Winner #1 (1208) - Boeing & O'Fallon High School, O'Fallon, IL
Winner #2 (2775) - NASA / DeWALT / PTC ≈ Jackson Area Robotics, Jackson, TN
Winner #3 (3284) - NASA/Camden County 4H/JCPenney & Camdenton High School, Camdenton, MO

Librarians from St. Louis Public Library Venture to Streets with Caught Read Handed Contest
ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), March 14, 2010 - Librarians from the St. Louis Public Library will venture out to the streets of St. Louis for Caught Read Handed, a contest to catch bookworms around the city doing what they love-reading.

Reading at the bus stop, coffee shop, or park could earn bibliophiles one of three great prize packages: a "St. Louis Sports Package," a "St. Louis Arts Package," or a "Central West End Getaway Package." Librarians will be looking for readers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Monday through Friday from March 15 to April 9.

The St. Louis Sports Package includes a one-night stay at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark; a gift certificate to Mike Shannon's Steaks and Seafood; and two tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game.

The St. Louis Arts Package includes two tickets to the Black Rep; two tickets to Circus Flora; two tickets for a class at Craft Alliance; two tickets to a specific show at The Fabulous Fox Theatre; a gift certificate to Jazz at the Bistro; two tickets to Jazz St. Louis; and two tickets to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

The Central West End Getaway Package includes a gift certificate to Bar Italia Ristorante-Caffè; breakfast at Duffs Restaurant; two tickets to the St. Louis Cinemas at the Chase Park Plaza Cinemas; and a night at the Roberts Hotel Indigo.

Bookworms who want to get Caught Read Handed can check out the Library's website at slpl.org or our Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace pages daily for clues to which part of the city Librarians will be looking for readers.

No purchase necessary. Winner's names will be drawn on April 10, 2010. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. For complete details and official contest rules, visit slpl.org. For details, call 539-0382.

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De La Salle Middle School Was Honored Recipient of 2009 Exhibit A Proceeds

City of St. Louis Chosen As Site of Annual Robotics Championship from 2011 - 2013

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St. Louis Class of 2009 Graduates Earn Almost $43 Million in Scholarships and Grants

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Recreational Music Making Results in Breakthroughs for Inner City Youth

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St. Louis Area Robotics Team Advances to National Finals

Obama Budget Proposes Direct College Aid for 5,186 More Students in Missouri

Tobacco Marketing Influences Kids to Smoke

Sharp Increase in Use of Sleep Medications by Young Adults According to a New Study

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