Poinciana Elementary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Magnet School students wins First Place Research Award at the First Lego League (FLL) State Championships held in Orlando, Florida for their innovative creation of a motorized shampoo and soap dispenser on March 3, 2013. According to a press release issued by the PBC school district’s Public Affairs Office, 48 First Lego League teams brought their robots, inventions and innovations to the statewide competition.
This year’s challenge asked teams of 9-14 year-old students to develop ways to help senior citizens maintain their independence and quality of life. The competition was divided into three parts: (1) core values which includes how well teams demonstrated and understood concepts such as teamwork, gracious professionalism and sharing with the community; (2) a robotics challenge where students designed, programmed and tested a Lego Mind storms robot that is charged with completing, autonomously, as many themed tasks as possible in two and a half minutes on a 4’X8’ competition table and, (3) researching an existing problem, interview experts and come up with an innovative solution for the problem.
Poinciana Elementary students’ project was focused on herniated cervical discs; the solution that evolved to aid senior citizens was a motorized shampoo and soap dispenser; this solution could understandably be conceived with positive results when used by those suffering or being inconvenienced by a herniated cervical disc.
“We are very proud of our students who represented Poinciana Elementary at the tournament. These students and their coach, Gloria Gibson, are dedicated to their research and the TAZ BOTS Team,” said Guidance Counselor Melinda Olsker.
The Mission of the First Lego League (FLL):
The mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
REF: PBCSD (Press Release) Public Affairs Office. March 2013.
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