Student teams designed, built, programmed and presented robots made with LEGO庐 MINDSTORMS庐 robotics kits, modeling them after a real life automatic storage and retrieval system General Motors uses to manufacture automobiles. Brian Steber, senior manufacturing engineer at the General Motors Wentzville Assembly Center, wrote the challenge for students to follow, using Lego's and cookies.
鈥淚t's a great opportunity for students to learn skills used in manufacturing careers, and have some fun at the same time,鈥� said Steber.
Students were judged on their teamwork and presentation, in addition to design and engineering. The judges were current and retired engineering professionals, from a variety of backgrounds. Following the competition, judges offered expertise and words of encouragement to the students.
鈥淵ou are all awesome,鈥� said David Bluhm from Boeing. 鈥淭he skills that you are learning in this process, believe me, they are real,鈥� Bluhm said.
Students were welcomed to 麻豆传媒 by John Bookstaver, 麻豆传媒 dean of business, science, education, math and computer science. Tammie Do Los Santos, 麻豆传媒 manager of workforce development initiatives, coordinated the competition and also talked to students about choosing a college and career, and the opportunities available at 麻豆传媒.
When they weren't competing, students attended breakout sessions throughout the day, where they were introduced to technology like Rockwell Automation and Alice programming.
GM employees Mike Dunston, a millwright and predictive technician, Stan Lubiewski, a pipefitter and predictive technician, and Tom Johnson, electrician, led a session called GM Vibration Tech. They introduced students to an infrared camera and ultrasound equipment, showing them how the technology is used in a real-life setting.
There were 18 teams, organized into two middle school divisions (gray and maroon) and one high school division (black). Students chose their own team names.
First place went to 鈥淒oofensmer TZ鈥� from Barnwell Middle School in the gray division, 鈥淐ookie Commanders鈥� from Barnwell Middle School in the maroon division and 鈥淜ISS Industries鈥� from Fort Zumwalt South High School in the black division. General Motors Wentzville Assembly Center donated LEGO庐 MINDSTORMS庐 kits to the three first-place teams.
Second place teams were 鈥淣MS Cougars鈥� from Fort Zumwalt North Middle School in the gray division, the 鈥淪mart Cookies鈥� from Barnwell Middle School in the maroon division and 鈥淏ananaz鈥� from Fort Zumwalt South High School in the black division. Third place teams were the 鈥淩obo-Rebels鈥� from Assumption in the gray division, 鈥淧laty Droid Anonymous鈥� from Barnwell Middle School in the maroon division and Winfield High School in the black division.
For more information on the Robotics Challenge or other school-business programs, contact De Los Santos at tdelossantos@stchas.edu.
St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. 麻豆传媒 provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.