STUDENTS DESIGN ROBOT.Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer LANCASTER - Lancaster High School's robotics team on Monday unveiled its latest remote-controlled robot creation that the school will send off to compete in regional and national contests. The Eagle Robotics team designed and built the 120-pound, aluminum- frame, pneumatic pneumatic /pneu·mat·ic/ (noo-mat´ik) 1. pertaining to air. 2. respiratory. pneu·mat·ic adj. 1. Of or relating to air or other gases. 2. four-wheel-drive robot in six weeks - with the help and support of engineers from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), civilian agency of the U.S. federal government with the mission of conducting research and developing operational programs in the areas of space exploration, artificial satellites (see satellite, artificial), , Lockheed Martin For the former company, see . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. and Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an aerospace and defense conglomerate that is the result of the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company is the third largest defense contractor for the U.S. . ``It really gives me a chance to learn a lot of stuff that I wouldn't otherwise learn,'' said Alan Tepe, a second-year member of the team. ``I learned about pneumatic cylinders The term air cylinder can also refer to a gas cylinder used to store compressed air, including those used for scuba diving. Pneumatic cylinders (sometimes known as air cylinders and kinematics kinematics: see dynamics. kinematics Branch of physics concerned with the geometrically possible motion of a body or system of bodies, without consideration of the forces involved. , how parts move together in a robot.'' The robot, dubbed dub 1 tr.v. dubbed, dub·bing, dubs 1. To tap lightly on the shoulder by way of conferring knighthood. 2. To honor with a new title or description. 3. ``The Gobstopper Gobstoppers, known as jawbreakers in the United States, are a type of hard candy. They are usually round, usually range from about 1 cm across to 3 cm across (though much bigger gobstoppers were once widely available) and are traditionally very hard. ,'' will compete March 26 and 27 at the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Sports Arena and then move on to the national contest April 15-17 in Atlanta. Last year, the team placed 12th out of 73 teams in its division, its best national finish in four years of competition. The contest is sponsored by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, or FIRST, to encourage students to become involved in math, science and technology by giving them a chance to work with professionals on hands-on projects. This year, students will have to maneuver The Gobstopper into picking up a giant green ball and placing it in a goal of upright poles. The robot also must knock a smaller red ball off its stand and push it to where its human teammates can pick it up and toss it into a goal. An extra 50 points will go to the robot that at the end of the game is hanging from a pole situated more than 9 feet off the ground. ``From the lifting arm, there is another 4 feet that will hinge hinge n. A jointed or flexible device that allows the turning or pivoting of a part, such as a door or lid, on a stationary frame. hinge see hinge joint. up and grab onto the pole with a hook. There is a motor that will reel in a cable and lift the robot up,'' said Kevin Spoelstra, teacher and robotics team lead adviser. The robotics team presented its robot at a special news conference in the school's theater. The event was attended by students, parents, mentors, board members and school district officials. ``I'm impressed with the integrity, dedication and commitment that the students have shown,'' Superintendent David Vierra said. ``I'm proud to see the representation we are going to have as they go out to compete.'' Northrop Grumman principal engineer Dick Chambers said the project helps instruct students on the importance of teamwork. ``As a mentor, my job is to show students what engineering is, what we can design in a six-week period,'' Chambers said. ``We teach students how to think and how to react with each other in a team situation.'' Patty Smith, a Northrop Grumman assistant engineer manager, saluted the students, saying they are ``right on track on being the next Northrop Grumman employees.'' The project gives students an experience that could open up new doors and opportunities for them, Spoelstra said after the presentation. ``It opens their eyes to new possibilities. It causes them to focus on a goal and meeting their goal,'' he said. Karen Maeshiro, (661) 267-5744 karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Lancaster High's Eagle Robotics team watches its ``Gobstopper'' entry for regional and national competition make its first public appearance at school. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer |
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