Shock'n Bots

What Every Good Engineer Should Know.

2010-03-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

Shock'N Bots Programmable Hat - Quick Start

2010-03-07T16:05:00.000-08:00

Shock'N Bots 2007 - 2008 Video

2010-03-07T16:04:00.001-08:00

http://vimeo.com/449932

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qagr0GGojRA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU0voC1J7eQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwRqapOFWL0

SPoN soRsHI p

2010-03-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

I just submitted some requests for First Tech Credit Union and TechAmerica to sponsor us.

2010-02-22T15:41:00.000-08:00

Hello team I have just learned that our essay was chosen so we are going to nationals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sort and Disassemble Legos

2010-02-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

My house Thursday at 6:30pm.

State: Second Place!!!

2010-01-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

WOW! Second Place in State!!!

No Snow on Wednesday

2009-12-30T07:31:00.000-08:00

Hi Team,

If there is no snow on Wednesday 12-30-09, we can meet at my house 6:30 - 8:00.

Hope you can make it.

Marvin

Meeting Tuesday December 22 @ 3:00 - 5:00.

2009-12-21T14:22:00.000-08:00

Meeting Tuesday December 22 @ 3:00 - 5:00.

Sorry this is short notice...

At the last meeting we decided to divide up these tasks:

Mitch and Jeffery - Med high loops
Amiel and Alexa - Spearhead core values essay
Austin - Integrate science and tech into innovative research

Hope you can make it on Tuesday!

Marvin

Post Tournament Review

2009-12-16T17:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Team,

Post tournament review and strategy session this coming Sunday! I hope you can make it!
Sunday December 20th at 2:00pm - 3:30pm.
Please bring all the LEGO equipment. Bring the hats. Bring the trophy. Bring the score sheets. Bring your notebooks!

See you there!
Marvin

1st Place Oregon Regional 12-13-2009

2009-12-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

1st Place - Oregon Regional FLL Robotics Tournament Mentor Graphics 12-13-2009

Shock’n Bots Team! Amiel, Alexa, Mitch, Jeffery, Austin

Congradulations Team!!!

Carpooling in Oregon Page 1

2009-12-12T13:28:00.000-08:00

Carpooling in Oregon Page 2

2009-12-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 12-8 Update.

2009-12-08T21:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Team.

Its down to the wire and we only have a few days to go and the pressure is on. Now is time to bring your best to the team. I really glad to see that your all still making suggestions and tweaking what we have, trying to make what we have even better! Keep it up!

I saw many of making good suggestions about the teamwork, about missions, about the research project. Great I encourage it! Keep it up! As coaches it is important for us to help guide you this process of revising, tweaking and sculpting your efforts. I am proud of all the effort each one of you have made!

We have four days left. Lets make them count. Anytime you would like to meet let me know, I'll make my time available.

I would like to meet with Mitch and Jeffery sometime Wed. We have some work to do on the light sensor.

I can meet with Alexa and Amiel when it's best for you!!! I will meet with any of you individually if your teammates can't make it.

Full team practice on Thursday!

Coach Marvin Green

Another Sunday meeting

2009-12-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

Sunday the 6th at 2:00 -3:30. My house.

Research

2009-11-30T17:28:00.000-08:00

I think on Sunday for research we should meet at the Willisonville library in one of the meeting rooms. But if we do we need to bring a paper cutter and laptop.

from Jeffrey Wiegand

Yes there is a meeting on Sunday.

2009-11-28T21:12:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm back from OKC!

Please bring your programmable hat to the meeting and a programming cable if you have one.

Also bring the short NXT cables for the robot!

Meeting is at 2:00 - 3:30.

Marvin

November 11 Wed.

2009-11-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Team,
I am making 10:00 am - 12:00 pm available to work on LEGO if you need. I will be getting Pizza for lunch. If you still have things you would like to work on we can do that until 2:00 pm.

See you then.

Marvin

First Program

2009-11-08T14:02:00.000-08:00

I just created a cool program for the circuit boards, if anyone wants to try it out.
b0 =127
b1=127

Main:

readadc 4, b0
readadc 0, b1

b2=b0+b1
pause b2
toggle 1,2,3,5
goto Main

Transit Project Coordinator from the City of Wilsonville Team Meeting

2009-11-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
Jen Massa , the Transit Project Coordinator from the City of Wilsonville is willing to meet with us to give us information on what is planned and what is already being done in the region regarding carpools. She can meet with us either:

This Friday right after school at my house. I have room to bring one of the Three Rivers kids. I can get to the school early so I can get them right at 3PM and be back here by about 3:20PM. We will meet with her until 4PM.

Or

Next Thursday at Jen’s office right after school. I have room to bring one of the Three Rivers kids.

If others need rides for either date I can probably borrow a larger vehicle and bring them as well.

Which date works best for everyone?

Meeting times this Sunday.

2009-11-03T20:58:00.000-08:00

Thursday full team meeting.

Sunday 2:00 - 3:30 full team meeting.

Saturday working with Alexa on circuit board. 1:00 - 3:00. If anyone else would like to work on their robot, you can do at this time.

Full Team meeting Tuesday Nov 3rd

2009-11-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

See you at my house!

Amiel

2009-11-02T20:18:00.000-08:00

Hey Amiel could you please send me the word document on your computer about the brochure that me and jeff were working on?
thanks a lot

We have the tournament date set!

2009-11-01T20:45:00.000-08:00

Team: 4078 - Shocknbots 3.9

MG13 - Sunday, December 13 - Wilsonville
At Mentor Graphics Commons

Are we ready?

Progress

2009-11-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

This meeting, Jeffery and me started a brochure. We have the basic paragraphs that will form it, so that we can present it to the communities that we are talking to and to the judges. This information will be proposed to small communities, helping them decide if our solution is right for them and/or if it needs to be tweaked. My hopes is that it would spread to larger communities. It is meant to be like last year’s brochure, available to the people that need it. (Perhaps we could give it to a city hall?) Anyways, just informing you all about what Jeffery and I worked on. Jeffery, do you have anything to add or comment on about our progress?

Building the Microcontroller.

2009-10-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple pictures from building the Shock'n Bot microcontroller. The kids learned about electronics, reading schematics, soldering, reading components like resistors and capacitors. They also did a little programming and made LED blink and piezoelectric speakers beep.

I should have mentioned...

2009-10-27T22:25:00.001-07:00

Oh i guess i should have mentioned that we built a nice compact arm that is very effective for high and low loops. We have started programming and managed to pick up a few low loops, it should be able to pick up the high ones. Please be careful and do not destroy it if you swap bricks.

Tuesday Meeting

2009-10-27T22:15:00.000-07:00

Jeffery and I made a lot of progress. We are almost done with the lower loops. Jeffery you are awesome.

PS: We switched the bricks

Portland Sustainable Development Commissions Invites Us to Present

2009-10-27T18:19:00.001-07:00

I presented today our basic idea to the Portland Sustainability Development Commission and asked if we could somehow get their feedback to help refine our ideas.

The Chairwoman said this was a great approach; they were really interested to see how our on-line social networking ideas could help tackle all these transportation challenges ...

... and they invited us back to present our ideas and prototypes to them at a follow up Commission meeting.

We also have recommendations from them for experts we should contact whose jobs at the transportation bureaus are to help get people out of their cars!

Team Project Plan

2009-10-27T18:17:00.001-07:00

Coach Sue here ... with a post of the team research project plan which you all created on Sunday. We'll update this as we move along. Watch for your names (where you volunteered to get something done) and the dates (to get it done by!)

Project Plan: As of Oct 26 09

Reach out to community contacts – schedule meetings/presentations/follow up with key people at each organization
- Christ Church: Amiel to email for mtg this Friday with she/Austin
- School: Austin, Jeffery, Mitch, Alexa: this Wednesday with Principle
- Ride Connection: Amiel to email re team mtg next week: Tuesday or Thursday after school
- Sustainable Development Commission: Amiel: this Tuesday
- Wilsonville: later … via Lex? Target a meeting/presentation after Nov 9 once we’ve got other pilots underway since these are examples for what the city could inspire those in their region to undertake

Build demo prototype
- Austin: this Monday/Tuesday – ready for church review this Friday

Develop list of questions to ask community organizations – so we have our research completed from them and refinements to the mapping system
- whole team: drafted during the meeting on Sunday

Develop list of “The Ask” questions – what actions/commitments we want during these first meetings from each group
- drafted during Sunday meeting

Get familiar with the background information on these community groups
- particularly the Ride Connection – Jeffrey, Austin, Mitch, Alexa – read the web site, get up to speed

Research the Regional Metro Transportation Plan: Challenges and Priorities
- Attend Sustainable Development Commission Tuesday meeting
- Read key web materials
- Find out how our project’s problems and benefits fits into their overall plan
- Find experts we can talk with about our idea to help refine it
- Amiel – in time for Sunday’s next meeting

Find out what alternative car pooling or networking services there are in use now – and why they do/don’t work
- Jeffrey

Get familiar with the Community Walks mapping system
- more time exploring it, making test maps, figuring it out
- Lex, Mitch, Jeffrey

Research Community Walks web site and services further
- Are there any rules that govern organizations’ use of the maps/site/service?
- Are there any other features that could be useful to the challenges our communities face?
- Are they looking for feedback or ideas from users re how to improve the map or apply it in new situations? If so, how would we get in touch with them?
- Whole team – or Austin/Amiel if they have more time

Develop a brochure summarizing how the transport challenges each community faces can be tackled using the social network maps -- mini case examples – to bring to the Wilsonville City Council or other metro meetings
- NEXT week beg Nov 2

Prepare presentation for competition: START DATE: Weekend of Nov 14th LATEST

ORTOP FLL Robotics Tournaments - Judges & Referees Needed!

2009-10-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

I received the following from the Ortop volunteer coordinator:

(don't worry, the links take you to a form.)

The 2009 FIRST LEGO League season is off to a fast start. Over 300 teams have signed up to participate across Oregon and SW Washington. They have been busy since early-September developing their robots to meet this year's challenge, and researching this year's hot topic: the Smart Move - transforming transportation.

ORTOP will run 18 local qualifying tournaments across Oregon and in Vancouver in early December, followed by 2 state championship tournaments in mid-January 2009. Local qualifying tournaments will be held in Bend, Corvallis, Hillsboro, La Grande, McMinnville, Portland, Roseburg, Vancouver & Wilsonville. The two championship tournaments will be held at Liberty High School in Hillsboro as in previous years.

Each tournament requires a team of judges, referees, and day-of-tournament volunteers. As a past tournament participant, I'm sure you know this is an incredible opportunity to expose kids to the fun and creativity of science, engineering and teamwork. Thanks for your participation in the past. We hope you can help out again this year.

Judge and Referee training being in just over 3 weeks. If you would like to participate in one of these areas this year, signup soon. Training is offered live at Hillsboro High, Mentor Graphics, OMSI, and via Web- or Tele-conference.

To sign-up for training and to volunteer at a tournament, use one of these link:

Yes - Judge - http://volunteer.ortop.org/reg_jdg_qt.php?m=qt_lgstc_JR&v=639&k=Z92zy

Yes - Referee - http://volunteer.ortop.org/reg_ref_qt.php?m=qt_lgstc_JR&v=639&k=Z92zy

Yes - Day-of-Tmt - http://volunteer.ortop.org/reg_lgstc_qt.php?m=qt_lgstc_JR&v=639&k=Z92zy

DS18B20 Digital Tempature Sensor

2009-10-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

I have one left. (Jeffery) that I clipped off my prototype board.

What to bring - Microcontroller build.

2009-10-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

Microcontroller project.
Please bring these:
Low wattage soldering iron
Small sponge to clean soldering iron
Small needle nose pliers
Small (diagonal) wire cutters
Small gauge wire strippers

These things will be helpful:
USB memory stick for software
Laptop with serial port (for second day)
Desk lamp (these parts are small)

Power strip.
A couple folding tables.

Calender for Building a Programmable Cap.

2009-10-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

I have updated our calendar with purposed schedule for the micrcontroller project. The fist day will focus on building, the second on programming.

Saturday October 24th from 12:00 - 4:00 Building day!
Sunday October 25th from 2:00 - 4:00 Programming day!

Coach Marvin

USB programming cable info.

2009-10-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

The microcontroller project that is coming up, uses a programming cable to the PC. The standard cable uses the serial port on your PC (9 pin male). Many new PC’s don’t have a serial port but instead use a USB cable. If you need a USB cable to program the microcontroller here are some links to purchase one.

http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=577
http://www.robotshop.us/picaxe-usb-stereo-download-cable.html
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8312

If you’re feeling adventurous you can install a serial port into your PC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124074

Research Project

2009-09-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

I think that now we should be on to deciding our final research topic, because we have a limited amount of research meetings left. This way we could spend our research on something more focused and that could lead to getting further on in the project.

Research Meeting

2009-09-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Just so you all know, the research meeting is at my house on friday.(i can post!)

Whats in your toolbox?

2009-09-23T21:32:00.001-07:00

Good Engineers Toolbox

Every engineer should have a set of good quality tools.

In the near future we will be building an electronic circuit board with small electronic components.

I would suggest having the following tools at a minimum:

Soldering iron – one designed for small electronics not welding cars.
Small needle nose pliers. * Small tipped wire cutters.
A set of clip leads.
A volt-ohm meter is handy to have.

I can post!

2009-09-18T19:15:00.001-07:00

I can finally post!

Another Challenge -- this time from Clif Bar

2009-09-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

Check out the Clif Bar 2 mile challenge: most transport impacts arise from journeys of less than 2 miles ... what if we walked or biked a few of those instead ...

http://www.2milechallenge.com/ride/

Would you take up the challenge? How could more people take it on?

Sue

Tune in to Smart Growth stories on NPR

2009-09-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

NPR is tracking the challenges associated with growing cities, such as Houston, and the transportation and "Smart Growth" issues this raises. Houston has been taking a different approach historically to Portland.

You can hear the broadcasts on NPR Morning Edition (as you go to school) over the next few mornings or follow the stories on the web at:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112828563

Research: Do One Thing for Thursday

2009-09-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

Come prepared on Thursday.

At the beginning of the meeting, I want your lists of the good/services you have used in a day from when you wake up to when you go to sleep.

We want your list of goods/services used and your best estimates/guesses for which communities/places they were delivered from and how far they traveled to reach you. Notice if you do or don't know the answers to these questions easily.

Goods/items used Communities/places sourced Est'd distance traveled

We will go over your lists at the beginning of the meeting at 6.30pm on Thursday.

2009-09-13T22:21:00.000-07:00

OK so i think that the challenge should be( it can be changed later but heres a start):
1. How many transport systems can you use (like... a bus, bikes, cars, feet, tram, trains)
2. to travel as far as you can and back in 4 hours on just five dollars each
3. takes lots of pictures and map out where you go in words or map(example i took bus 5 to..... or high light where you went on a map)
4. We'll post them to our blog and compile them for a fun compilation "showing" at the competition (if FLL agrees); otherwise the compilation will be on our blog site
5. We could share are experiences/ lessons by making a blog off the blog just for that and have one person for every team be able to use it (maybe)

Balance so far...

2009-09-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

Hi Team;

Expenses so far:
$290 FLL Registration and setup kit.
$30 Additional LEGO Tires
$30 Additional LEGO planks
$60 Local competition registration fee*
$150 Micro controller project ($30 each kit)*

Total $560 / 5 members = $112

Additional upcoming Expenses:
??? Team Shirts
??? Presentation supplies
??? Other stuff

Please be able to pay the $112 next week. Thanks.

What's intriguing YOU?

2009-09-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

So, as we've discussed in our meetings, I'm keen to hear your ideas now ...

What are the communities, transport systems and problems that YOU care about the most? That you're most curious to learn more about? That intrigue you most? Where you think ACTION is most urgently needed?

We're beginning to build a list of the issues/intersections that YOU care about ... because who wants to spend time researching things that we don't care about?

So get your voice heard and BLOG HERE before Tuesday's meeting ...
Let's find out about each others' interests ...

As we go down this road over the next few weeks, we can keep adding to this list ...

Quite a bit later, we can see what we care about most as a group ... but for now, we're just finding out about each other and what we each find interesting ...
So post away ...

Sue

Outward Bound Challenge to the Community

2009-09-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hi team

So we've had the chance to discuss together challenging other teams to take on the Outward Bound Adventure. Here's the place to post any further feedback and register your vote by Tuesday.

Based on the interest from Amiel's friend, Claire, whose team was interested to take on the challenge, here's where we are so far:

1. The simple challenge would focus on a) how many transport systems and b) how far can your FLL team travel in 8 hours on just $5?

2. Our team would invite others to share their experiences and photos

3. We'll post them to our blog and compile them for a fun compilation "showing" at the competition (if FLL agrees); otherwise the compilation will be on our web site

4. Rachel and Mitch have offered to compile our photo montage and a montage from all the final photos received; Austin our "humorous" video

5. Amy's offered to draft a format for the challenge (what to do, how to share experiences, maybe lessons learned etc)

So, let's call the question:
A. Any further feedback from the team? Suggestions? Refinements?
B. Are we go or not?

I'm all ears ...
10, 9, 8, 7, ...

Coach Sue

Shock N' Bots Calendar

2009-09-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I got a calendar set-up. Go to http://www.google.com/calendar/ and sign in with the following account:

Email: Calendar.Shocknbots@gmail.com
Password: shocknbots (all lowercase)

For the team:
At that point you can edit the calendar to show when you might be gone, (That you know of in advance) or other important dates
~Please don't erase or modify any dates that you didn't set!~

For Marvin, Sue, or Heather (Coaches):
You can mark important dates and meetings or change previously set ones as well.

Thats it have fun calendarizering!...
~Austin~

Quiz: Wealthy and Famous

2009-09-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Name one person who became wealthy and famous by not sharing?

shirt

2009-09-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

I think we should have our last names on the back of the t-shirts.

Robots Transport Elephants To Healthier, Happier Lives!

2009-09-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hey team ...

Check out this innovative "transportation" device that Catlin Robotics graduates created for elephants at the Oregon Zoo recently!

Health benefits ... happiness benefits ... and a fabulous robotics engineering challenge they took in just 3.5 weeks which changed the elephants lives for the better!

See:

http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=125138855686978400

Project Assignments

2009-09-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

Hi team

Quick reminders: the core questions you wanted to dig into for next Tuesday:

1. Given the project challenge that was just posted (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/content.aspx?id=15162 ) where have you found transportation systems that you found to be really intriguing or exciting to explore further?
- which communities did these relate to?
- which transportation systems to focus upon?
- which problems or challenges most fascinate you?

2. How have other teams' excelled in their project challenges? What "does it take to be great"?
- any insights here from what you can find? who's won awards -- and why?
- who would we ask to learn more to answer this question?

Recall that Amiel also reminded us to think beyond personal transportation systems (which we rode for 8 hours last week!) ... so how do products also reach us? water? services? "stuff"? what are the transport systems also involved here?

And, by the way, Austin can share with us what it feels like to be without his information networks for 4 days this weekend (Comcast is going offline at his house) ... remember, information is transportation in byte sizes ... so, as Austin "unplugs", he can tell us what happens to his "transportation systems" when his information highway gets shut down ...

Looking forward to next Tuesday ...

Coach Sue

QuiZ - Which Picture???

2009-09-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

Which picture is an example of good engineering? Why?

Programming Assignments:

2009-09-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

Each team member will demonstrate, to the team, one area of programming. Be prepared to give an example.

Jeffrey = Variables
Austin = Loops
Alexa = My Blocks (subroutines)
Amiel = Switch Block (conditional)
Mitch = Multiple Tasks

Mission Information.

2009-09-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that the FLL challenges are released TOMORROW -- Thursday, September 3rd -- at 12pm ET! Check their website after 12pm ET at http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll for all the 2009 Smart Move details!

Is Good?

2009-09-01T13:49:00.001-07:00

Finally, I finished a rough of the logo that I designed for this year. If you have any changes or want to submit your own idea, please contact me quickly so we can get the shirts done soon.

~Austin~

Way to go team!

2009-08-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

So here's quick selection from some of my photo highlights ... seems like you guys made more than 20 transport connections on only $5 and 8 hours of time! CONGRATS!

How about this for a list ...

Cars to LO
Walked
Electric car charging station
Sewer pipe (!) in City Hall
Bus 36 to Oregon City
Elevator in Oregon City
AMTRACK in Oregon City
Bus 79 to Clackamas Town Center
Bus 72 to Max
Max ... to the ...
Airport
Escalators
Stairs
Max to downtown
Barges on river
Recycling Bike Shop
Zip Car
Street Car
"Pill" Sky Tram to OHSU
Bus 36 to ...
Sailing Center on the Willamette
Bus 35 to LO
Electric bikes at LO bike shop
Scooter

Way to go team!

Coach Sue

2009-08-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone on the team Nike is doing a grant program called Back on your block to support community and school groups. My sister's First Robotics Challenge team Oregon City Robotics is one things that you can vote for to get the grant. You can vote at http://www.nikebackyourblock.com/ApplicantProfile.aspx?ApplicantId=724cd5e4-4606-446a-95bd-f154683d15e9

variables

2009-08-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

this is a video that i found here it is http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-program-variables-in-the-lego-mindstorms-nxt-system-79069/view/

Congrats Lex -- you were first at the Jr Olympics!

2009-08-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

So now we hear today that you made first place at the Jr Olympics!

So cool Lex -- we're all proud of you!

My BLocks

2009-08-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is my My Block assignment

My Blocks:
A My Block is a block that is designed by you. It can contain a combination of blocks that you use frequently. Instead of remaking or copying and pasting those blocks, you can use the My Block instead. My suggestion for a time to use a my block is for the touch-sensor-backing-up-against-the-wall program. We can make that into a My Block and use it in other programs.

Congrad Alexa!

2009-08-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Alexa!! 2ND PLACE in your age group for the JUNIOR OLYMPICS!! Aggressive!! :)

Amiel

CONFIRM YOU'RE COMING!

2009-08-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

Coach Sue here

OK team, let's plan to do the Outward Bound on Monday, two days time. It's clear from the blog that Alexa, Austin, Amiel and Jeffrey can make that day. Also Rachel and Amy. Hopefully Mitch can join as well.

We begin as planned at 10am and end at 6pm at Tillamook Ice Creamery on A Street in Lake Oswego.

We need a starting point. If there are no votes for this, I'll post one tomorrow Sunday as part of the challenge. So post now if you want a vote for a different starting point!

Please each of you confirm on the blog space below that you can come and plan to join; if anyone needs a ride to get to our starting point, please post this on the blog. Otherwise I'll assume your parents are bringing you along.

Remember to bring:
A lunch ...
Some ID if you have it ...
Notebook ...
Water bottle ...
You know the routine ... rather like camp outings ...

Looking forward to seeing you Monday
Best to all
Sue

2009-08-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

Coach Sue,
Its Amy and Rachel, your assistant project coaches.
We have been talking to the kids and they have come up with a list of places they would possibly like to see on the outward bound trip they are:
PGE Park
Pioneer Square
OHSU
OMSI
Rose Quarter
PDX
The Zoo
Portland Rose Gardens
Portland EXPO center
mclaughlin house
Tillamook Creamery

So we just need a date and time we dont know if you want to plan the route ahead of time or what but yeah.
time date and meeting place.
Talk to you later

Amy and Rachel

2009-08-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hey it is Amy and Rachel,

We have been talking and offer to video tape and photograph the journey so we can use it later if we want to. We were thinking that if you guys keep thinking of place to stop and we think of some to that we can combined the lists together and make one. Then on Thursday at the end we could talk about it and final where we want to go and where we are meeting. Come with ideas!

Before we have ice cream

2009-08-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hey team … Amiel here …

Just checking in on the blog … internet here is very difficult to work with so sorry for the on-going delays.

Here’s an update on what I’ve learned in Lake Oswego which might be fun before we have ice cream at Tillamooks.

The bike shop in LO will allow us to ride their electric bikes for a test ride assuming there’s an adult present (and it’s OK with our parents). They’re open on Sunday until 5pm and on Monday until at least 6pm.

The Vesta shop is shut on Sunday but they’d love to talk with us during the week.

The fire department offered to show us all their equipment (i.e. fire trucks and such) on Sunday around 5pm but that time can change (or disappear if we’re not keen on this). Did you know that fire trucks lug around 500 gallons of water which only lasts a few minutes when fighting fires – but decreases their fuel efficiency incredibly!

The trolley isn’t working right now between LO and Portland.

There is a bus line to Portland from LO (if we want to come back for the ice cream and other options)! Only two bikes are allowed on the bus rack at one time which means that we would lose a lot of time if we brought our bikes while waiting for so many buses to come. (I already hate waiting for one!!)

I also went to City Hall and learned about another unusual smelly dirty sort of transportation: the sewage pipes! There’s new one they’re building in LO which we can visit. So what makes the steaming meditation balls in the sewage pipes? All the food and water that comes into the city and our homes. So are we interested in learning more about how the food gets to Albertsons? We could ask them for a tour of their loading docks for their trucks … interested?

The swim park, which we can walk to from town, is open til 6pm … sound fun? Do we have the time?

By the way, there is a submarine at OMSI (and other space shuttle models etc). Our family has a membership which could get us all in for free but we might need to still pay for the submarine.

Do you still want to go to the airport Austin?

Where are we going to start from???

See you soon, can’t wait,
Amiel

team

2009-08-18T17:42:00.000-07:00

Everbudy on the team please suggest a meeting place for this advencher!

2009-08-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hola, I was checking out the tri-met websight and there is an all day pass for $4.75 that covers Bus/Max/WES/Streetcar . I also looked up the OHSU tram and found out that you have to buy a round trip pass( unless you are a patient/or work there) and it costs $4.00. Does any one know any doctors that work up there that might be generous with a few passes? My mom can't help by being a chapperone if we go on Monday but I am available. My mom has Tuesday off and would be willing to do it then. See you tonight.

2009-08-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

Hi, It's me, Alexa. Yay, I can post now. Since I can't come to the Outward Bound trip on Sunday Coach Sue suggested an alternate date of Monday at 10 AM. Can the rest of the team make it then? Since there are only five people on our team I think it's really important that we make a date that we can all come too. If it doesn't work out this time, let's keep that in mind for next time we schedule something.

trimet's new line

2009-08-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

trimet is going to opean a new line called the greeen line it goes from Clackamas town center to Portland city cente. But it opeans on september 12. if you want to find out more go to http://trimet.org/maxgreenline/

Where in the World?

2009-08-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

This is a Map of the routes that WES/Max travel along. You can see it at http://ride.trimet.org/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also I think (for our "Outward Bound" trip) we should bring:
~$5 (obviously)
~Food/Snacks
~A Camera/Camcorder
~Cell Phones or Walkie Talkies
~A Map

And we try to go see:
~PGE Park
~Poineer Square
~OHSU
~OMSI
~Rose Quarter
~PDX (Airport) [Maybe...]

And, I think we should video tape our entire journey as well as take a group picture (And maybe a souvenir!) in front of all the landmarks mentioned above. ↑↑↑

By the way, the WES doesn't run on weekends

~Austin~

Transportation lightbulbs for OB

2009-08-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hey Team!!

Thanks to Jeffery and Alexa for agreeing to the Outward Bound ideas.

Well I found a big list of transportation ideas in Lake Oswego near Tillimook Ice Cream.

They are:

Trains -- there's even a special old trolley car that goes to/from Portland
Busses
There's a roundabout...
Bikes - there are some electric bikes at the Bike Gallery. (they are really cool)
(Vesta Motercycles, scooters - another store with those. We might be too young but we could look around and maybe not travel anywhere?)
Swimming in the lake - open from 12 to 6.
Boats - my Mom and I have a meambership to an easment at the lake with our kayak and our neibor has another motorboat so perhaps we could ask him.
Bridge over the lake.
Police department - They can do rides. I'll go down there to see what they can do. We would have to book it I think.
Fire department - same.

So there are some ideas around lake oswego alone.

Do you have any additions?
Amiel

Meeting times.

2009-08-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

We will be meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 at my house. Hope this works for everyone.

Outward Bound?

2009-08-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

Another one of my crazy ideas coming up ...

Do you remember our conversation that first meeting about transport systems in Portland? How many forms of transportation have you guys actually used in the city? Other than your car? How far do you think we could travel on just $5 using as many transport options as possible?

Anyone fancy taking this challenge on, while ending up for ice cream at Tillamooks in Lake Oswego (assuming we find our way back successfully)?

If so, I've found the sponsor who'll contribute our $5 each: we'd need to organize this entirely ourselves and decide on a day we can all make when at least one parent is available to join us. My Mom would be happy to help out.

So do we want to challenge ourselves to see many different ways we can transport ourselves around the city and how far we can go on just $5? Could be a fun way to get into the transport topic more actively and have fun as a team at the same time.

So what do you think?
Amiel

Where was everybody?

2009-08-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks Mitch and Amiel for making it. All the board pieces are almost complete. Here is a link to show what a completed board looks like.

http://www.majhost.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=208826

See you on Tuesday!

it is going to be a great year!

2009-08-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

Clunkers for WHO?

2009-08-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody!

Thought I'd begin some transport discussions ....

So, has anyone heard of "Cash for Clunkers"? You get $4000 if you trade in an old, inefficient car for a newer one that gets at least 4 miles per gallon better fuel efficiency.

Do you think that's a good deal? For the climate, the tax payers or the buyers?
Apparently it'salmost sold out in a week . Why?

Great meeting you all!

See you tomorrow,
Amiel

New Mindstorms nxt 2.0

2009-08-01T21:23:00.000-07:00

Well it was at the Washington Square LEGO store, then it followed me home. The new LEGO Mindstorms nxt 2.0. I'll have it at the next meeting.

Shock N' Bots [Insert Idea Here]

2009-08-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, how are you all doing?

I really want to take advantage of this whole "Blog" thing, so I thought instead of using up time at our next meeting to decide on a name, we could do it here!

So at the first meeting I heard the to names,
Shock N' Bots: Home Edition (or Small Business, Home and Office, Corporate, etc.)
Shock N' Bots: Turbo Boost

If anyone would like to vote on these two names or submit their own, please don't be shy, speak up, we can't actually hear you anyway.

~Austin~

Remember your LEGOs

2009-07-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Please bring back any LEGOs you maybe have borrowed over the summer for our next meeting.. Currently I am missing two rechargeable batteries and at least one complete robot from last year. Thanks.

Shock'n Bots 3.9 Now Registered.

2009-07-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

Materials Purchased

* 1 x 2009 FLL Team Registration (Required, Non-Refundable). Part number 990305. $200.00 USD ($200.00 USD each)

* 1 x Field Setup Kit (Limit of 1 per team, Strongly Recommended). Part number 991217. $65.00 USD ($65.00 USD each)

Subtotal $265.00 USD
Shipping and Handling $15.90 USD
Tax (None OR) $0.00 USD
Total $280.90 USD

Welcome to Shock'n Bots Blog.

2009-07-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Shock'nBots!

I will be using this blog as a way to communicate with all the team members and share information. This should be easier than an email list group. Anyone can post to this blog.

The First LEGO League link is: http://www.usfirst.org/community/fll/

The ORTOP link is: http://www.ortop.org/fll/

Our first meeting will be: July 30^th at 6:30 at my house.