Tech Expo Was a Huge Success!

On Friday evening, WLMS hosted our first Technology X-Pedition: Take a Byte on the Wilde Side! At the expo we had the following speakers:

 

We also had several demonstrations take place. They included:

 

I want to thank all Mr. Rogofsky, Ms.Dunster, Mrs. Barham, Mr. Spicher and all of the other volunteers who helped to make this event so successful. In addition, I want to thank the First Lego League robotics teams for competing during our tech expo. They were: 

 

Nuclear Cantalopes

Wilde Lake Department of Food Safety

Tech TurtleBots

Chesapeake Science Point

Robotic Alliance

To see pictures from the event, click here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/104907339060231496895/WLMSTechExpo2012

Take a Byte on the Wilde Side!

WLMS' Robotics Team Advances to State Competition!

One of the two Wilde Lake Middle School's Robotic Teams is advancing to the state finals of the First Lego League competition in January. The team of Augie Garcia-Truong, Daniel Gramling, Calvin Kuang, Skylar Rankin, and Noah Rogofsky not only won the right to compete for the state title yesterday, but they also received the "best rookie team" award. Congratulations guys!

The other talented WLMS team (Alex Wilson, Ryon Tabler, Richard Green and Maddon Barham) just missed the cut-off score that would have made them eligible to move on to the next level. These four sixth graders have nothing to be ashamed of...they did an awesome job in only their first time in this type of competition. I hope they will stick with it...so we can do even better next year.

In only our second year, WLMS has really come a long way. Last year, both of our robots were not able to complete many tasks and did not earn many points. This year, both robots were programmed well and were able to complete most of the challenges. What a difference a year makes in experience and expertise. I want to commend Mr. Fox, our robotics sponsor, and all of the parents who have helped with this program.

By the way, our team members are using Mr. Fox's high school shirts. Mr. Fox is the robotics club sponsor at Atholton High School as well. Most of these students will be going to Atholton in the future.

I also want to thank Northrup Grumman for providing some of the equipment our teams use and paying for our entrance fee to the competition. Your support of this program is critical and much appreciated.

Way to go WLMS!!!

WLMS Teams Compete at First Lego Robotics League Competition

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of traveling to Liberty High School in Carroll County to see Wilde Lake Middle School students compete in the First Lego League Robotics Competition. I believe these WLMS students are the first HCPSS middle school students to participate in this competition. While our two teams did not place in the top 10 in their first competition, these students represented our school very well. Due to this experience, I believe we will "kick some robotic butt" next year (please pardon my technical language).

I want to congratulate Mr. Fox for coaching the following students...

Jack, Josh, Alexander, Noah, Sam, Daniel, Bayan, Caleigh, Jacob, Yan & Jie

Way to Go!

Thanks Northrup Grumman for your support of our team!

Getting in the Game - WLMS Prepares to Compete in Lego Robotics League

Imagine if you could program a vehicle to take you places, or even go by itself…

Imagine if each vehicle knew where all the other ones were…

Imagine if vehicles could avoid each other and the things around them…

Imagine if vehicles could be programmed to avoid causing or driving into traffic jams…

• Would traffic signals be needed any more?

If these vehicles did hit each other…

• How might they be built to really keep passengers safe?
• How might they be built to avoid getting stuck or damaged?

Have you noticed that most vehicles near where you live are only used part of the day?

• How might the number of vehicles in your area be reduced?

What new technologies could sometimes eliminate your need to travel?

Now in addition to imagining and wondering… Try some of this yourself!

Source: First Lego League Competition

For the first time this year, 52 students at WLMS are beginning to explore how to design a robot that can possibly do all of the challenges discussed above. Thanks to Atholton High School teacher, Mr. Fox and WLMS GT teacher, Ms. Motaung. our students will enter the First Lego League to compete with other teams from around the central Maryland region to see who's ideas reign supreme in the 2009 First Lego League (FLL) Mission Challenge.

We have opportunities for students to work on robotics during school and after school here at the Lake. The excitement being generated is amazing!

Watch this exciting video below to find out more about the FLL: