Montgomery County 4-H LEGO team competes in Robotics Expo
ASHLAND — A Montgomery County 4-H LEGO team participated in the Nebraska Robotics Expo on Feb. 19 at the Strategic Air and Space Museum near Ashland, Neb.
Team members are Sean Griffen, Tamara Dean, Aidan Dean, Matthew Truka, Tristan Wolfe, Harris Rogerson, and Cody Parker. Coaches are Paul Griffen, Kim Truka, and Karen Dean.
Sixty teams participated in the competition. The team from Montgomery County placed 29th in the robotics competition.
Their research project presentation and questions dealt with dental implants. Their research project was scored as very accomplished. They did a five minute presentation on their research project and answered questions for five minutes.
In the teamwork competition portion of the contest they were also rated as accomplished. They had five minutes for their extemporaneous project and five minutes of questions.
In the robot design portion of the completion they were rated as accomplished. They downloaded their robot programming and presented their work to the judges. They also answered questions on their robot design.
The team members got to do:
— Strategize, design, build program, and test a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology.
— Create innovative solutions for challenges facing today’s scientists as part of their research project.
— Apply real world math and science concepts.
— Engage in team activities guided by First Lego League core values.
— Become involved in their local and global community.
— Participate in tournaments.
— Develop employment and life skills including critical thinking, time management, collaboration, and communication while becoming more self confident.
Matthew Truka, Harris Rogerson, Tristan Wolfe, Aidan Dean, Tamara Dean, Cody Parker, Sean Griffen
University Extension explains how routine maintenance and small adjustments in day-to-day operations also improve fuel efficiency and total energy costs.
“Tractor Maintenance to Conserve Energy” (PM 2089L) is available to download from the Extension Online Store, www.extension.iastate.edu/store/.
“Fuel prices are already trending upward this year,” said Dana Petersen, ISU Extension program coordinator with ISU Farm Energy. “Making time for maintenance now not only will enhance your immediate fuel savings, but also will prepare your tractors for spring field work.”
Tractors and equipment are valuable farm assets, second only to land for many farm businesses. To help farmers protect their investment in a fleet of machinery, this publication illustrates tractor fuel and air filter replacement recommendations to improve fuel consumption and power output. It also addresses cool-down idling time for newer models. Additional topics include engine temperature, fuel selection and fuel storage.
“The mix of fuel and air inside a tractor’s engine directly affects its fuel efficiency and the availability of engine power,” said Mark Hanna, ISU Extension agricultural engineer. “On average, research shows that the simple act of replacing a tractor’s fuel and air filters results in an immediate 3.5 percent increase in engine power output.”
The publication is part of a series of farm energy conservation and efficiency educational materials being developed through the ISU Farm Energy Conservation and Efficiency educational initiative. The purpose is to increase farmers’ awareness of opportunities for improving efficient use of farm energy. The initiative also will help farmers explore alternatives to reduce farm energy demand and to improve their farms’ overall profitability in a rapidly changing energy environment.
For more information, go to http://farmenergy.exnet.iastate.edu.