On Friday, the teams split and rotated for half of practice working on the project and half working on robot-related things.

Core Values:
Both teams talked briefly about how separating and trusting the other small group to get an important task done today was a demonstration of teamwork -- That it doesn't always mean doing the same task; and that even if they chose something different, the idea is to test it out and support that plan, knowing that the plan will evolve and can change if it really needs to. 

The Wise Old Owls (formerly known only as 4982):
The team met with their Senior Partner, Martha Fleer, and enjoyed the homemade cookies she brought. The kids asked wonderful questions ranging from "what is the most challenging part of getting old," "what do you wish you could still do," "is it hard to go to bed" and "are you sad if your friends die?"  Ms. Fleer has arthritis, and we learned it causes problems ranging from sitting down on the floor, going up steps and opening jars. We ultimately decided that we wanted to focus on the problem of arthritis and the particular problem of opening jars. we will start researching the issue over the next couple of weeks!

In the second half of practice, the team played a game led by Jacob demonstrating the Core Value: We honor the spirit of friendly competition.  Then divided to pick some missions and a robot build.

Missions in order thus far:

1. Flexibility, 
2. Bowling, 
3. Stove, 
4. Transitions? Or Wood Working?

This group would love to have a plow for an attachment

And, the team selected a base build for starting their robot:  
The Castor bot - http://nxtprograms.com/castor_bot/index.html
They decided they would borrow elements from the others that we looked at if they needed to make improvements on the base build.

Team 4894 (still working on a name):

Started with robot selection:
The Sturdy Motor Attachment bot on pages 19 - 22 of this doc - http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/content/lego/building/media/Constructopedia%202.pdf
The wanted narrow, strong, able to accommodate lots of attachments.  There was a lot of discussion about where the third motor can go. 

Core Value activities:  Each child will lead an activity related to the core value they are tracking.  Lillith volunteered to be first -- next Friday (9/14).  After that, in order are: Patrick, Pascale, Mo, Sebastian, Aaron, Emma, and Alex. 


Missions in order thus far:

1. Quilts
2. Video Call
3. Service Animal 
4. Stove?

Project: Last week the team discussed focusing on the problem of falls, so we spent our time together discussing what sort of Senior Partner the team wanted.  In addition to being over age 60, the kids determined the partner should be nice, kind and a good cook.  A number of prospective partners were proposed, and the kids ultimately voted on Sebastian's grandmother, Maria Fletcher.  She lives in Florida, and she's delighted to be the team's partner.  She is in town all next week, and will join the team on Monday. 

 

Team members need to come to practice Monday with suggestions for 2 team names.