For a group of local students interested in engineering and technology, it’s about what you discover, not what you win.
Blazerbotics, Lawrence Grassi Middle School’s robotics club, sees around 30 students participate weekly and in January sent two teams to participate in the First Lego League annual competitions in Edmonton.
LGMS teacher Lee Luders said this year’s theme, Body Forward, explores the cutting-edge world of biomedical engineering.
The Lego League introduces students between the ages of nine and 14 to real-word engineering challenges by building and programming Lego robots to complete thematic tasks and discover innovative ways to repair injuries, overcome illnesses and disabilities and build healthier, stronger bodies.
One of the challenge saw two teams compete to be the first to grab a patent for a design.
Luders said it represents competition in engineering by being the first to reach the patent.
“In the world of biomedical engineering, sometimes you want to be the first to develop something,” he said. “They have two and a half minutes to do as many of the missions as possible and they can choose the order.”
Marks are based 25 per cent on the table competition, or completing the tasks, 25 per cent on teamwork, with the remaining 50 per cent split between presentations on technical aspects and a challenge.
The challenge is based on the theme each year and students are tasked with finding a local issue, investigating it and proposing a solution.
“They are trying to invent or think of types of technology that would help in this situation,” Luders said.
Team Black looked at hypothermia after a recent crash in the Spray Lakes reservoir at the end of December took three lives.
Anna Sellers and Kirsten Husdal presented Hypothermia Helper to the judges in Edmonton.
Husdal said the drink could save a life if someone is in the backcountry or out of range of an ambulance.
She said after researching the idea and speaking with a doctor, the product would be a sugar drink that would warm-up when needed.
“We are not sure what exactly would be in it,” added Sellers. “But if Hypothermia Helper existed and someone had it… it may increase their chance of survival.”
Team Blue looked into broken bones after one of their teachers at the school broke a kneecap in a biking accident.
Khelden Flatt and Alex Rogers presented the solution at the event.
Flatt said their idea was to have a water cast that can be carried in a backpack and put together in different configurations depending on whether the fracture is minor, intermediate or major.
