By Kristine Thomas
Bethany Charter School eighth-grade student Ian Palmer can’t decide if he wants to be a master chef or a robotics engineer.
His teammates for the school’s robotics club have an answer for Palmer.
“You can design a robot that cooks for you,” sixth-grader Dakota Parmley said.
Given what Palmer along with his robotic’s club Techno Toast teammates Sammy Goggin, Brendan Gebhart, Parmley, Devin Ramak and Evan Merklin have already accomplished, it’s entirely possible a robotic chef is in their future.
The students are competing in the FIRST Lego League State Competition Jan. 15 at Hillsboro High School.
They qualified for the state competition by placing as runner-ups in a regional competition. This is the second time a team from Bethany Charter School has competed at state.
Parmley said he and his teammates used Legos to build a robot that can perform rudimentary tasks. Each year, there is a theme for the competition, with this year’s theme being health.
Gebhart said one challenge task for their robot is fixing a broken bone. The students have to maneuver their robot to take two bones – made of Legos – put them together and then place a cast over it. That’s one task of 10 they must complete in 2 minutes, 30 seconds. Each team gets three chances, with their highest score being used.
“Most teams can complete at least four of the missions,” Gebhart said. “The board challenges show how technology interacts with medicine.”
Project volunteer Kim Merklin has coached the team for three years. As a coach, she can’t touch anything the team makes, only provide suggestions.
“Being in the robotics club teaches students perseverance,” Merklin said. “If the robot doesn’t do what the students want it to do, they have to keep a positive attitude, stay focused and figure out a solution.”
Merklin said the after-school club teaches students the scientific process at a basic level.
“They are learning skills they will be able to use in the real world,” Merklin said.
Palmer said the robotics club opens the door to excitement.
Goggin likes being on the team because he has fun building and creating using Legos with his friends.
“Plus, it’s a good challenge,” he said.
