Skip to main content

KU Engineering Expo

Lining things up
For the last couple of months, Caiden has been busy getting ready for the KU Engineering Expo with his ELP class.  From what I can tell, Caiden thoroughly enjoyed this experience, and we are thankful for teachers (and even some parents) who were willing to put in the extra time this project required!

Last year, the kids did the Egg Drop Challenge but were unable to go compete due to a snowstorm.  The main goal of this year's challenge was to program a small robot to go from Point A to Point B in less than 4 seconds, all while avoiding obstacles.  Caiden's group named their robot "Robobird" and they decided to take a direct route to Point B instead of following a marked line with a light sensor.

Last Friday was the big day, so they traveled up to Lawrence and made many trial runs before getting a fast time.  It sounds like the board they had at KU was not really up to par, so they had trouble with it veering to the right.  (I mean really, what can you expect from KU?)  Just kidding - I had to get a jab in there somewhere!  After the board was straightened out, they had no trouble at all and managed to have the fastest time.  They got first place out of 13 teams and the other Goessel team got third place.  We are so happy that Caiden has teachers who are willing to put in the time to work on challenging projects - and who recognize when kids thrive on something like this.  It takes their learning further!  

We're proud of you, Caiden!

Thanks to Logan's mom for these pictures:


Not sure about the Jayhawk!  :)


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Choosing Trust Over Fear

I have struggled with writing about the shooting in Hesston - in fact, I wasn't going to post anything about it.  However, for the sake of memories, I decided I should at least touch on it.  It does deserve a place. It just hit so close to home - particularly since Doug was directly involved.  Honestly, I sometimes feel guilty for struggling with this tragedy.  I wasn't there, I didn't lose anyone close to me, and, although I know a few people who work there, I didn't know any of the victims.  And I get to move on with my life with little disruption.  I feel like I am on the outside looking in.   But I guess that's okay.  I didn't have to be directly involved for this to touch me.  My heart is sad for the families of those who died, for those who were injured, for those who witnessed it, for my brother-in-law who will probably replay images over and over, for my sister and my niece and nephew who might sometimes wonder "what if?", for th...

NCAA Division 1 Volleyball Championships

Chelan and I took Delaney to Kansas City for the championship game of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament - a birthday gift given to her in August. What a cool experience! From posing with the trophy to testing her vertical (6th place for all girls who tried!), to watching the match between Texas A&M and Kentucky, to a real life reindeer in the arena, we had a fun day!

Cousin Week

We declared last week "Cousin Week" and went to see Cale, Mace, and Ty play football.  We also watched Addi play volleyball.  Three of those events were on the same day!  I'm sure the girls feel like they have seen enough football to last a long time.  Little do they know - Caiden will be playing in 2 short years and they will have to sit through a lot more of those! We did enjoy watching each one - watching their strengths come through, watching them interact with teammates and coaches.  They are all growing up - just like our own three keep doing!  How does that happen?? Now, if only we could magically appear in California for the other cousins' sports endeavors! Addi - already an 8th grader! Ty, a 5th grader - far right Good teammate Mace, also a 5th grader - #6 Cale, an 8th grader.  #83 (white shirt)