Lego Robot Club

Starting last September, Sambo was part of a group called the "Gear Heads" which participates in a lego robot competition held by the First Lego League.  They came up with their team name themselves.  I had no idea that anything like this existed, and even 4 months later when they had their competition, I admit I still didn't understand what it was about!  But what I did know was that it meant Sambo got to meet with 9 other boys his age every monday from 4:30-6:00 and have fun while working on building/programming a robot made of legos.  Every year there is a different theme and challenge.  Sambo was stoked because it meant hanging with friends, I was stoked because it was an extra-curricular activity that wasn't sports for once...it involved using his brain and creativity! :)

One of the boy's parents, the Terry's, volunteered to head-up the project and host the boys each week.  They were life savers and amazing!  I can't believe the time and commitment they made to do what ended up to be a GIANT project!
The competition was held in January in Sandy.  It pretty much took all day on a Saturday.  I wanted to be supportive and spend some time alone with Sambo so I sported a T-shirt and spent the day with him and his team.  My eyes were opened to a whole community out there that is way into this lego league stuff.  Wow.  The boys did a great job running the programs on their robot and talking to the judges.  In the end, they didn't win but it was a great experience for Sambo.  Hopefully they will do it again come Fall.

In action: The robot had to complete tasks on this table.  It's cool how these boys know how to program that!

 

The Gear Heads

Me and my boy.  Why am I sticking out my behind like that?

The Terry's

Our friends Tristan and Allison

Ethan and Sambo waiting for their turn

Seven of the boys in the group are in the same class at school - their teacher Mr. Sessions made an appearance to support them!  How cool is that?