Building their way to nationals
The Parkway Pizzazz Lego team is heading to national competition in New Jersey this week. From left to right, Mabel Chamberlin, Isabelle Darby, Teacher Rachel Boruff, Kamberly Hurlburt, Hailey Forrest, Kali Hurlburt, Corbin Correll, Caden Johnson, Makalya Pellam, Calista Trejo, Lilliana Zaets and teacher Julie Butterfield.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Mabel Chamberlin starts the Parkway Pizzazz Lego robot, Jeff, to begin the course.
Corbin Correll demonstrates the team’s example of an anaerobic chamber. The chamber would prevent any outside germs or organisms from impacting the experiment.
In a mixture of paint and plastic, Parkway Pizzazz students made examples of how bioengineered cyanophages will kill the cyanobacteria by latching onto their host cell. The cyanophage will inject its DNA into the host cell which will rapidly replicate itself. Once mature, cyanophages will burst from the host cell, killing the cyanobacteria in the process.
The Parkway Pizzazz team practices a run-through with its Lego robot, Jeff. Jeff will have several jobs including knocking things over, lifting flags, moving pieces, spinning things and other challenges at the national competition.
Jeff the robot got his name several years ago because according to several students when they turned the computer on for the first time the robot said “Jeff.” When students get particularly mad at him, they use his “legal name” Jeffrey.
The Parkway Pizzazz Lego robotics team practices a run-through before leaving for nationals. From left to right are Calista Trejo, Corbin Correll, Mabel Chamberlin, Makayla Pellam and Caden Johnson.
Three of the Parkway Pizzazz students watch as Jeff the robot attempts to flip switches with his arms. From left: Isabelle Darby, Hailey Forrest and Lilliana Zaets.
The two poster boards students made for their presentation on “S.P.A.C.E. Germs.” Students used their research to make the graphics. S.P.A.C.E stands for ‘Super Powerful and Carefully Engineered.”
Parkway Pizzazz coder Caden Johnson shows the system they used to program all the Lego robot’s actions.
EPHRATA – Ten sixth-grade Parkway Intermediate students, two advisors and a LEGO robot named Jeff will travel to New Jersey this week for the national LEGO Robotics championship. For a handful of the students, this is their first time on a plane, for others, their first time on the East Coast. For all of them, it will be their first time competing in the national LEGO championship.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
