Robotic Transformations

"The Central Ohio Robotics Initiative [C.O.R.I.], and Dublin AM Rotary, are transforming students one robot at a time," stated Wolf Lant.

"In the last two decades," Wolf explained, "there has been a general decline of interest in math and science in a time when technological, political, and economic forces make these subjects more important than ever. C.O.R.I., which grew from a Dublin team to become a Central Ohio organization, helps fight that decline.  It is an inspiration to learn and achieve, a competitive sport that creates energy, a life experience, teamwork, an opportunity to grow and forge friendships, and a sense of community."

Teams in four categories-Junior Lego, Lego, Tech Challenge, and Robotics-learn to build and program robots, "engaging their imaginations and creativity and fun as well as teaching them increasingly complex computer and engineering skills." The robots must accomplish particular tasks in competition. As competitors grow older and gain in abilities, they move up through the categories and mentor those entering the program. The robots grow in size and ability to accomplish tasks.  

"The competitions are like a basketball game and rock concert for geeks," explained Ann Ralston, "intensely competitive and alive with energy." A team's schedule is ambitious. Teams start planning in January and have to have a design ready by the end of February. Members work after school and on weekends for 40 hours per week. "What do they learn?" asked Ann. The answer is, much!  "Design and programming; working with tools; fundraising; presentation skills; working as a team under pressure; how to fix problems in the moment; science, math, and language; perhaps most importantly, they learn a gracious professionalism, even helping other teams in the competition to excel."

The program brings results, Ann reported.  "OSU professors say these students are more ready for engineering courses than others; they know the technology, the ideas, and the outlook."

C.O.R.I. goals for 2012 include hosting a regional competition of 24 teams, providing and pooling resources in both a virtual and physical space, and developing the Junior Lego and Lego divisions as "farm teams." They are having a competition on June 26th, at South High School. Searching youtube.com for "FIRST robotics" will show some of robots in action, but a visit to the competition is a great opportunity to see the teams competing and learning.

Dublin AM Rotary Foundation gave a $5,000 grant to C.O.R.I. to help them grow and meet their goals. The Robotics Program was one of six projects recently recognized by the District for a Significant Achievement Award. In light of Program's success, that $5,000 is likely to produce many dividends in young minds ready and eager to help Central Ohio progress technologically.