As of Tuesday 12.14.04 the F.L.L. team at Udall has completed the second form of our robot. To accomplish the stair mission we add two wheels to make our robot four wheel drive to have enough grip to pull itself up the stairs. At our next meeting we are going to finalize our logo and start work on the project. We have, as of 12.9.04, exactly 13 people on the team.

The kids over at Beach St. have been busy these past few weeks. Though there are many tasks their robot has to complete, the main focus has been aimed at getting the robot to go up steps on to a platform. The team split up into two small subteams, each trying different ways to get up the platform. One team tried using wheels on their robot, while the other tried using treads. Both robots had some trouble getting up the step. So, Mr. Larsen and myself suggested the idea of what our robot used last year, namely Skid Plates. When applied to the robot, it worked in getting the front of the robot up on the first step, but there was trouble in keeping the motors on the chasis. Last week, they met with success. After putting on more torque, the wheel team was able to get up the steps and on to the platform. The combined effort of team work can certainly get the job done. Now all they have to do is get through the rest of the course. Untill next time...

As of Friday 12.3.04, the F.L.L. team at Udall has designed and fully built the first form of our robot, and is almost completed with the building of a second form. In addition, we have completed most of the programming. And as of Thursday 12.2.04, we have approximately 14 people on the team.

FLL is an international program for childern created in partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Corporation. Each September, FLL anounces the annual Challenge, which engages the teams in hands-on Robotics design and authentic scientific research. Ater 8 intense weeks, the FLL season culuminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments. In 2004 over 43,000 children from 14 countries particpated in the FLL Program.