Battle Of The Bots Offers Competition, Technology Lessons At Boys & Girls Clubs
By Libby Smith
BRIGHTON, Colo (CBS4) - In the gym of the Shopneck Boys & Girls Club, more than a dozen rings are set up for the Battle of the Bots. Up to four teams from each of the Metro Area clubs are on hand to find out who will get bragging rights for having the top bot.
"It's fun to see," said Ray Martin, STEM Specialist for the JeffCo Boys & Girls Club.
It's a double elimination tournament. In each match, a bot gets a point for push its opponent out of the ring. The first bot to two points is declared the winner. The difference between winner and loser is in the design and programming.
"Two motors here and here, that power the wheels," club member Malec Lineberger said as he pointed to the bottom of his bot.
The body is made of Legos and a small computer is the brains of the bot.
"If you program the sensor, if it says white, you can make it go forward so it won't go off the edge," Lineberger explained.
This day was weeks in the making, as teams of two to three students built the bots within the weight and size restrictions, and then programmed the computer and sensors.
"It was difficult," said Omar Nevarez, a club member.
LINK: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
The kids are learning important lessons along the way including problem solving.
"If something doesn't work, they have to figure out why and then go back to the program," said Martin.
At the end of the tournament, when all the trophies were given out, the kids are left with knowledge they can use in other areas of their lives.
Battle of the Bots is just one of the learning experiences at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. You can support the clubs by making a donation to CBS4's Care 4 Colorado School Supply Drive.
Donation bins are set up:
CBS4 Studio, 1044 Lincoln Street, Denver 80203
New Balance Store, 156 Steele Street, Denver 80206
New Balance Store, 7301 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton 80120
LINK: Care 4 Colorado School Supply Drive Cash Donations
Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.
