Canned Peaches

One day while we were talking about peaches our coach, Nancy just happened to find these 3 jars of peaches:

The one on the left is about 10 years old, it was properly sealed and is still edible in fact, Nancy showed us a recipe for Old Fruitcake(provided below) that calls for a qt of old fruit. The one in the middle is 2 years old but was not properly sealed, it has some nasty mold, this one is good for nothing but the trash. The one on the right was properly sealed last year, it looks delicious!

Recipe for Old Fruitcake

                                             

4 c flour

2 c sugar

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp cloves

1 c melted shortening or oil

 1 qt bottled fruit (can be old and dark), any kind, prunes, apricots, peaches, pears, etc.

4 tsp baking soda

Nuts, dates, raisins, chocolate chips, dried fruit, candied fruit, or anything you want.

Blend the fruit with the baking soda. It will foam. Place ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Pour into 3 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 325°F for 45-60 minutes, or until done. Test with a toothpick.

Things to remember about Tron

Motor A = Forklift
Motor B = Left Wheel
Motor C = Right Wheel
How to program:

Give more power to motor B to turn right.
Give more power to motor C to turn left.
Tell motor A to go backwards to move the forklift up.
Tell motor A to go forwards to move the forklift down.

Tron's Key as explained in Robot Key is .706

Questions to ask when lining up Tron:
Are the back wheels touching the wall?
Is the forklift all the way down?
Are the forklift strings tight?
Is the right program selected?
Are you lined up on the right line?

Coopertition

Cooperation + Competition = Coopertition

Cooperation means to work together.

Exercise in communication - two people sit back-to-back, one person makes a design with Lego bricks, and describes to the other person how to create same design on their board.

At the beginning of the season, our coach had recruited more people to join First Lego League. There were 16 kids total. We all met together to learn how to design robots, to learn how to make the robot follow a line using a light sensor, to learn how to calculate a key for the robot, and to learn how to program the robot. Then we split off into two teams of 8 people each. The 2 teams are Master Control Programmers and Kidz around the Block.

Coopertition is a word created by FLL, here is what their website says about coopertition.

"Coopertition produces innovation. At FIRST, Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete. Coopertition involves learning from teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is learning from mentors. And it is managing and being managed. Coopertition means competing always, but assisting and enabling others when you can."
Rebekah

Previous Robot Designs

The first design of the bucket sagged. It needed support on the bottom to keep it level. We added to forks under the bucket to keep it level and supported.

A claw attached to a motor was designed to grab the pizza, ice cream, and a rat, and to activate dispensers. Why wasn’t this used? The dispenser were built wrong so we had to take the claw off.

The controller was turned 180 degrees from the previous design, to distribute the weight better over the wheels.

After you take the "key" you can't change the robot or it will change the center of balance and the programs won't work the same.

Nathan

Gracious Professionalism

Core Value # 7 We show gracious professionalism in everything we do. 

Gracious, adj

1. pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous.
2. merciful or compassionate.

Gracious Professionalism

1. Act graciously and respectfully to teammates, other teams, and visitors to the competetition.

2. respect to others is shown through action.
3. Teammates listen to each other and professionally resolve disagreements.
4. Gracious attitudes and behaviors are win-win.
5. Includes good sportsmanship.

Rebekah

Peach Saver 3000

We made the Peach Saver 3000 out of wire, pvc pipe, and an old sheet.  We sewed the edge of the cloth into a tube and put the wire in it. We cut out PVC pipe and then put corners pieces at each corner and put "t's in the middle facing up. We sheet on top of that and ducted taped it to pipe.

We cut a hole in the middle and then cut one side to the middle. We sewed the middle like the edge and put wire through the casing. Then we put velcro on the edges that were cut from teh outside to the middler. You hook the velcro together, then hook the wires together.

When the peaches fall they will fall in the net and will not bruise.

Isaac

STEM

 

STEM is part of what we learn at Lego club we also learn many other things because the sky is the limit.

Robot Key

All you need is a piece of paper, a pencil, a measuring tape with centimeters, either someone who is a math smarty or a calculator, a computer with nxt programing downloaded on it, 3 or more people, a built robot and a flat surface.

First make a program that tells the robot to go 900 degrees and stop. Save it and download it to your robot.

Set the robot on the flat surface and place the measuring tape next to the wheels with motors. (Tron’s motor controlled wheels are in the front.) Then line up the front or the measuring tape with the middle of the wheel a.k.a the axel.

Then have a partner pull the measuring tape tight and make sure the path is clear.

Have another partner run the program. Repeat 5 times writing down the results using the chart below.

                                                         

                                         Now take the average and fill out this next chart.

 Now you have your key and to use it measure how far you need to go in centimeters and convert it to millimeters and divide your answer by your key and there you go.

Team Video

Just to show how cool and silly we are here is a video of our team.

I know it needs a few changes but it wasent top priority and the first one I made got deleted so I just quickly put this one togther.

Tron, Our Robot

Tron is our robot. He's gone through many modifications. His current base was constructed by our lead builder Zyan, he designed him by comparison to another model. Then Isaac, another excellent builder added the forklift, other attachments were later made by all the other builders to improve our performance.

We chose to use four bicycle like wheels, because according to our research, they spun more accurately together. The back wheels do not have rubber, so the robot could turn easier.

Out main attachment is a forklift, we chose a forklift because we found that the mission models were at different heights. We built a bucket that can be attached to the forklift, to catch the bacteria and the rat. We also have a reverse plow that can be attached to the bucket to acquire the fish. The purple fish-returner on the back of the reverse plow, was made to return the baby fish. The dingle-whopper(the black axle pointed down) was simply made to hook the refrigerated truck. The whang-doodle( the gray axle facing up) is to push the lever on the bacteria dispensers.

Peach Saver 3000 Logo

Core Values

We are a team.

We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors.

We know our coaches and mentors don't have all the answers; we learn together.

We honor the spirit of friendly competition.

What we discover is more important than what we win.

We share our experiences with others.

We display Gracious Professionalism™ and Coopertition™ in everything we do.

We have FUN!

Team building activities

We did some team building activities, they where lots of fun!!

 

Count to 10

This activity will help everyone learn how to work together in the midst of chaos. The object of the exercise is for the entire group to count to 10, in order, starting at 1. The only rules are: 1) any one person cannot say more than one number in a row, 2) the group cannot go in any order and cannot be directed by anyone, and 3) if two or more people say a number at the same time, the group has to start over at 1.

What Can You Do With This?

Objective
For people to begin to feel comfortable around one another, and for everyone to give input when in a group discussion.
Group Sizes
4 or more
Materials
Any odd objects you can find. We used a stapler and a hole puncher
Paper
Pens or pencils
Description
Select an odd object prior to the activity that can be used to do many different things — a stapler remover, a wire whisk, kitchen tongs, a strainer, or anything else. Place this object in a paper bag.
Divide the large group into teams and give each team a piece of paper and pen or pencil. Pull the object out of the bag and say, “Each group needs to make a list of all of the things that this object can be used for — and be creative!” Give a time limit. At the end of the time ask the groups to come back together and have one representative from each team share his/her team’s list with the larger group. You may give points for each original item found on each list, for each item on a list, or no points at all and simply laugh at all the crazy ideas
(From the book Team-Building Activities for Every Group)

Human Knot

Stand in a circle. Join hands with two different people in the circle, make sure they are not right next to you. Now everyone's arms should be in a knot . Without letting go of anyone's hands, try to "untie" your knot.

The Fruit Channel script

Host: Becca

Erin, the orchard owner: Rebekah

Reporter: Liberty

Peach Solutions Experts: Zyan, Isaac, Nathan

Person behind tree: Emily

Canning Expert: Emily

Team members introduce themselves.

Props: desks for announcer, jar of brown peaches, recipe, picture of moldy peaches, light bulbs, lab coats.

Becca: Hello, and welcome to The Fruit Channel where our team experts solves your real-life problems, I’m your host Becca Barton (applause). Today we will be talking about peaches, and the journey they take from the orchard where they are grown to the table they are eaten. We are going to start by talking about canning, I have here with me canning expert, Emily Georgeson, Welcome to the show Emily.

Emily:Thanks, Becca I see you have some jars of peaches here.

Becca: Yes I do, I was hoping...

Emily: (cutting Becca off) This one here looks like it is about 10 years old.

Becca: Yes, how did you know?

Emily(cutting in) It appears that it was properly sealed, It is still edible, in fact I have here this recipe for old fruitcake.

Becca: Thanks, I was wondering what to do with these. I also have this picture of some peaches that I canned only 2 years ago, They have some nasty mold, I threw them away, why happened to these ones that didn’t happen to the other ones?

Emily: It probably wasn’t sealed, so the air got in and it got moldy.

Becca: I guess I need to check and make sure everything gets sealed next time I can peaches. Thanks for the information Emily. Now we are going to go back in time to the orchard where I get my peaches.. Our reporter Liberty went out to Nampa, Idaho to interview Erin, a local orchard owner.

Show video clip

______________________________________________

Liberty: This is peach orchard owner Erin. Welcome to the show Erin.

Erin: Thanks Liberty!

Liberty: I'm here with some friends from Fruit Solutions to see if our team can put together a solution to your real-life issue concerning the production of your peaches. We’ll start with some questions.

Erin: Ask away.

Liberty: About how old is this peach orchard?

Erin: It is about 100 years old.

Isaac: Wow! That's older then my grandpa!

Liberty: How long have you been the owner of this orchard?

Erin: For 20 years. Our family wanted to grow mostly organic fruit for the people here in the Treasure Valley area.

Liberty: How old does a peach tree have to be to bear fruit?

Erin: It should be about 5 years or older. You should remove the blossoms for the first five years so that the tree can concentrate on growing.

Zyan: My mom does that on our peach tree. When I was little I thought that she was just being weird.

Liberty: Are bugs the biggest problem you face?

Erin: Since we have lots of commercial growers around us that spray for bugs, our biggest problem is not bugs.

Liberty: What is the biggest problem with your peaches?

Erin: It is that we lose 1 quarter of our crop to the ground. Since our orchard is a self-pick orchard, our fruit stays on the tree until it is ripe. Unfortunately, when it gets ripe, the peach can fall to the ground, bruise and rot like this one.hold up nasty peach.

Liberty: Well team, you know all the facts, you now have 1 week, to devise a solution to Erin’s Problem. Good luck!

Liberty: Erin, We will be back next week to see what they come up with. Thanks for your time ______________________________________________

Becca: Our experts have now had a week to devise their solution. We will now go live to the orchard where they will present there idea.

Liberty: Thanks, Becca! Well, Erin are you ready to see the solution to your problem?

Erin: Yes I am!

Zyan: We were working hard all week when suddenly...

Lightbulbs

Nathan: (In crazy man voice) Watch this people.

Zyan: It’s simple!

Isaac: It’s cheap!

Nathan: It’s easy to install!

All lab coat guys: It’s the Peach Saver 3000!

Erin: Unbelievable!

Peaches fall into net.

Everyone cheers, high 5’s, etc.

Liberty: Well, Becca, looks like Fruit Solutions has saved the day, and the peaches.

Becca: Wow great job Guys! Sorry to end the show early, but I’ve got to get me one of those things for my walnut tree. Thanks for watching Fruit Solutions.

painting props

As you can see we had lots of fun painting the tree for are skit.
And working on the blog...

How Logo/name came to be

This year team members brought suggestions for names for our team. Some of the suggestions were Team Tater Tots(TTT), Lego Scholars, Lego Engineers Going Outrageous(LEGO). The name with the most votes was Master Control Program(MCP) from the original movie Tron which we later modified to Master Control Programmers(MCP). The task was givin to Zyan to create our logo, he did a wonderful job of combining a Lego head with MCP from the movie Tron.