Robotics Team members, left to right, Paul Sperling, Christian Evans, Catherine McCarthy, Peyton Delp and Quentin Comus.
One of the wonderful local projects our club supports is the Robotics program at Newberg High School. Members of the school’s two Robotics Teams–named Kronos and BulletProof– paid us a visit last week and it’s always fun to see what they are up to.
Coached by Terry Coss, the kids had again competed in the FIRST Tech Challenge, a national robotics competition focusing both on robot building and community engagement in STEM. (NOTE: STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.)
Quentin Comus, left, and Christian Evans discuss the robots.
The 2017 competition was themed “Relic Recovery,” and had Indiana Jones-style objectives. Robots could stack glyphs, move relics over walls and balance them on plates. In the process of developing these robots, students build skills in drafting, computer coding, machining, teamwork and leadership.
In addition to building the robots, students also designed community outreach presentations, robotics lab tours, camps and projects that provide young people with the opportunity to engage with STEM activities. In the 2017 season, the Newberg program connected to over 250 younger students. In the future, they hope to reach more than 1000.
Thanks to contributions from the community and nationwide supporters, this year the program received new smartphones, desktop computers, laptops, a printer and robot parts.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE PROGRAM?
The Robotics lab at Newberg High School is being remodeled. When complete, some of the items it will feature are:
- 2 research/design computer stations
- 3 robot build stations
- 3D printer station
And, in partnership with the NHS Science Dept., the program will be developing and building projects for environmental education, like:
- a hydroelectric dam model
- solar panel array
- wind turbine models
The kids thanked Rotary for its participation in the program and displayed this tee-shirt of sponsors.
CLUB’S FIRST “FRIEND OF ROTARY”
OFFICIALLY WELCOMED
President Todd Engle made it official with a presentation to Ann Dolan– our club’s first “Friend Of Rotary.” Ann and her husband, Bill, had just returned from wintering in Green Valley, Arizona.
The primary role of the Friends of Rotary program is to provide an opportunity for community minded people to be connected to our club. In addition, Friends of Rotary then have a vehicle through which to volunteer their time, and become involved in their community. Ann already has a long track record of volunteerism with our club. Congratulations, Ann.
IT’S TIME FOR THE AUCTION!
Auction Chair Denise Bacon and her committee deserve huge kudos for the tremendous job of organizing this year’s event, “EXPERIENCE YAMHILL COUNTY: WINE FOOD FUN. Plan on a very special evening this Saturday at the Allison Hotel at our major fundraiser for projects benefitting the community, including scholarships and so many more.
ON THE HORIZON
MAY 3 Come give your ideas and input on what our club should be like 5 years from now. A vision for the future will be developed from 5 to 9pm at the Springbrook Meadows Community Center. Food will be served. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to developing our future direction.
MAY 12 Help cleanup at the Friends Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day activities. Contact Jeff Lane for further details.
MAY 16 3pm Open house for YOOP, Youth Opportunity Occupations Program. YOOP is a Chehalem Youth and Family Services program dedicated to serving youth ages 16 to 21 of Yamhill County. At Yoop, youth can receive help gaining their high school diploma, GED, or pursing other career pathways. Youth can also receive assistance with job skills; including resume building, job searching, and interview skills. For complete info, please contact Deborah Cathers-Seymour.
MAY 18-20 District 5100 Conference in Salem. For more info or to register, go to the Rotary District 5100 website.
MAY 19 Newberg Water for Life 6K. A family event. Each registration of $50 brings clean water to one person in need. Register at worldvision6k.org or see Dale Welcome for more info.
THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
Should be inspirational and will serve as a prelude to the upcoming visioning process. Come hear Michael Brand discuss “Making Good Nonprofits Great” at the Cultural Center.
