Tuesday, April 5, 2016

First Robotics Competition


I am so proud of these kids from Team 4243! They are a young team but with the help of their amazing teacher, Mrs. Pickett, and the Boeing mentors, these kids are learning about making robots to specification. Each year, the team gets better and better, even as they add new kids. These are the results from the Palmetto Regional Competition: ranked 27 out of 90+ teams. Not shabby at all. I hope to watch these kids play in the finals one year.

I remember the first year Max started -- he was in 9th grade and overwhelmed at all the things he had to think about. He started on the programming team because that's what Michael helped with, but realized he didn't like it much. Next year, he made a quantum leap working on mechanical side. Now, in 11th grade, he is one of the older and more experienced kids and I see how easily he takes responsibility. From the beginning he has enjoyed photography and moviemaking, so do take a look at his latest from the competition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spkcsSmzeoM&feature=em-share_video_user He's been staying up much too late editing the video clips. And of course, when I sell my novels, I'm going to have him make a trailer for them :) He's read my contemporary YA and already has ideas for the cover! Fire will be involved.






7 comments:

Mirka Breen said...

Brag away-- it cheers me up to see such engaged kiddos, and your handsome Max!

Jenni said...

Congrats to your son! I love that your son has read your book and planned a cover for you. My oldest (13) reads for me too. When my kids were younger, they'd sometimes act out my stories, so it was always fun to overhear my characters mentioned in their play.

Barbara Etlin said...

Congrats!

Anonymous said...

This is great, good for Max! My son was involved in Robotics for a couple of years (only offered in middle school)and had a fun time with it. And I agree, author kids make great editors!

Leandra Wallace said...

So impressed that he's smart enough to do this (yay Max!). I look at that white board and break out in a sweat, lol!

Vijaya said...

Mirka, thank you. How quickly the kids grow up! But it's so good too.

Jenni, how fun that your kids acted out the stories. I think MG readers can give terrific advice.

Barb, thank you.

Marcia, it's great if the kids can get started younger. They have a blast doing this.

Leandra, you're so funny! Max has stopped asking me for math help because I have to pull out books to figure things out and it takes too long. Thankfully, Dad is here to help!

Molly/Cece said...

It's a great day when you collaborate with your child. Makes life so awesome.