Research & robots

MOSES LAKE — Girl Scout Lauren Beich giggled as she recalled a moment when the troop’s robot malfunctioned.

“There was a funny part where we were trying to program our robot and we put too much power into him and he started freaking out and flinging things,” Beich said. “We really had to practice things with him over and over again to get his movements right.”

Beich and her troop of junior cadets and senior girl scouts competed in First Washington’s robotics competition against other troops. The girls were required to build a robot from a kit ordered and present a research project to a panel of judges.

“The girls shocked me to death at the regional competition,” said troop leader Carol Hohn. “They did a great job there and came back regional champions.”

The girls traveled to Seattle to compete in the state championship. They placed 19th out of 40 teams.

“It was just wonderful to see them pull together and show some great teamwork,” Hohn said. “This was the first time they have ever done this and supported each other so well.”

Troop members are Beich, Maritza Armstrong, Madison Ebel, Tristin Ebel and Isabel Curry.

The robot kit came from First Washington’s Technology Challenge, a robotic-based program where individuals use technology and programming to build a robot. The robotics kit consists of 11 motors, nine sensors, three software programming options and metal gears for framing.

“The best part was making the robots together,” said Madison, 11. “Basically, we had to program our robot by putting specific missions onto it. You type the missions you want your robot to perform on a computer and download that onto the robot.”

The troop programed theirs to perform two missions.

“Our robot could knock a car down and drop people off,” said Tristin, 14. “We had to make it run those missions three times during the competitions.”

Building the robot became an educational experience.

“Creating it was wonderful because it gave the girls practical application for some great skills they are learning,” Hohn said. “They had to measure and use algebra to get their robot to travel.”

The girls said they learned many mathematical concepts.

“We now know how to apply algebra to real life stuff because we had to use math proportions to make the robot,” Tristin said. “It was really fun and a great bonding experience for our troop.”

 Requirements for the troops’ research paper consisted of finding a problem and planning solutions. They picked the Grant County International Airport.

“They focused on the transportation problem in our area, for example, the fact that very few people take advantage of our airport,” Hohn said. “Their solutions was to promote the airport.”

The girls discovered many things about the airport they didn’t know about.

“We learned we have one of the longest runways in the entire United States,” Tristin said. “Compared to SeaTac Airport, ours is almost 2,000 feet longer.”

Troop members believe their presentation left an impression on the judges.

 “Our promotion idea was to read from scripts like we were a television broadcast channel trying to get more people to come to the Grant County International airport,” Beich said. “I remember the judges kept laughing with us.”