TEAM ROBOT LANCASTER HIGH CREATION GETS ROLLING.Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer LANCASTER - Lancaster High School's robotics robotics, science and technology of general purpose, programmable machine systems. Contrary to the popular fiction image of robots as ambulatory machines of human appearance capable of performing almost any task, most robotic systems are anchored to fixed positions team unveiled its latest creation to compete in regional and national contests, but this year's unveiling was bittersweet bittersweet, name for two unrelated plants, belonging to different families, both fall-fruiting woody vines sometimes cultivated for their decorative scarlet berries. for the team. 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. Mr. Clean Mr. Clean n. Slang A man, especially a public figure, who adheres to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. [From Mr. Clean, trademark used for a cleaning product.] , was named in honor of teammate Nick Hayes, who was fighting cancer when he joined the team, underwent a bone marrow transplant bone marrow transplant: see bone marrow. in October and now is studying at home. ``The robot was named in honor of him (Hayes) and in support of him,'' said team adviser Kevin Spoelstra. ``That was his nickname because he had just gotten done with chemotherapy and had lost all of his hair. He allowed the team to nickname him Mr. Clean.'' The wedge-shape robot, operated by remote control, moves on wheels and has a mechanical arm that it will use in the contests to pick up and stack triangles. A wheel in the center of the chassis allows it to pivot, and a camera mounted on it gives a view to the operators via a laptop computer. Mr. Clean will compete against other high schools' robots in a contest sponsored by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, or FIRST, to encourage students to become involved in math, science and technology by letting them work with professionals on hands-on projects. Lancaster High's team sponsors include NASA's Dryden Research Center, 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. , the International Test and Evaluation Association, HR Textron 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. , as well as businesses including auto dealers and real estate organizations. The sponsors provided financial support as well as adults to act as mentors and advisers. ``It takes a village to raise a robot,'' said Jane Maxwell, assistant superintendent Assistant Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was a rank used by police forces in the British Empire. It was usually the lowest rank that could be held by a European officer, most of whom joined the police at this rank. of the Antelope Valley Union High School District The Antelope Valley Union High School District (A.V.U.H.S.D.) is located in the Antelope Valley area of California, in northern Los Angeles County. The district includes eight public high schools, one trade school, and two continuation high schools in the cities of Palmdale . ``We are so thankful for all the support of this program,'' The team will first take its creation to the regional contest in 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. on March 31, April 1 and 2, and then to the nationals in Atlanta on April 21, 22 and 23. Working as teams, the robots compete to see which team can stack triangles of PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. pipe the highest. The teams get additional points for stacking their triangles in rows and columns. Competitors had six weeks to design and build the robots, so students are forced to learn teamwork, time management skills and an appreciation for science, students said. Marketing and media are also critical parts of the overall project, officials said. This year, Lancaster High students spent nearly 1,500 hours working on the project. ``You just get hooked,'' said Dusty Bartell, 17, who is in his third year with the team working in manufacturing and with the animation team. ``This is what I love to do. I love the people and I love the atmosphere and I love being a part of a project this big. It's all just very exciting.'' ``Once you start it, you keep coming back,'' said Justin Shelton, 17, who is in his fourth year with the team. ``It's a lot of fun to be a part of. You just want more and more.'' Greg Botonis, (661) 267-7802 gregory.botonis(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Lancaster High School's robotics team members unveil their latest creation, Mr. Clean, named for a fellow classmate. (2 -- color) Catlin Level, 18, talks about Mr. Clean at the unveiling. The robot moves on wheels and has a mechanical arm that it will use in contests to pick up and stack triangles. (3 -- color) The robot from Lancaster High, operated by remote control, picks up an object in a demonstration. The team will soon take the creation to the regional contest in L.A. (4 -- color) The team stands behind the robot at its unveiling. Lancaster High students spent nearly 1,500 hours working on the project this year. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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