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Vernon Robotics team visits Cedar Mountain

| 26 Dec 2016 | 02:49
    PHOTOS BY JANET REDYKE Excited Cedar Mountain students watch the robot shoot baskets in the schoolþÄôs gym.
    PHOTOS BY JANET REDYKE Excited Cedar Mountain students watch the robot shoot baskets in the schoolþÄôs gym.
    Robotics team members Brian Hill, Alyssa Koehlar, Juliana Schlichting and Brandon OþÄô Connell participate in a Q and A session with the younger students.
    Robotics team members Brian Hill, Alyssa Koehlar, Juliana Schlichting and Brandon OþÄô Connell participate in a Q and A session with the younger students.
    Vernon Viking Robot 1989 waits for robotics students to begin controlling.
    Vernon Viking Robot 1989 waits for robotics students to begin controlling.

VERNON — Cedar Mountain School Principal Dennis Mudrick impressively raised one hand and almost magically silenced the school’s student body in Cedar Mountain’s gym.
“It is 1:30 Cedar Mountain time and we are right on time for an exciting robotics presentation by Vernon High School Viking Robotics students,” Mudrick told the primary school students.
Also, honoring Spirit Day on Dec. 22, Cedar Mountain students were treated to a presentation of robotics offered and explained by four members of the Viking Robotics team — Juniors Juliana Schlichting, Alyssa Koehlar, Brandon O’ Connell and Senior and captain Brian Hill along with coaches Mr. Ciaburri and Mr. Kiedes.
According to Ciaburri, there are 7,000 school robotics programs nationwide with Vernon Township Robotics being number 1989. In fact, 1989 is printed on the side of the robot, constructed, produced, programmed and controlled by the team.
With flashing orange lights, movable, whirling parts and a roaring motor, the tank-like robot, zoomed around the gym floor, gobbling up soccer balls and lobbing them into the crowd as well as shooting baskets. Robot 1989 successfully made a total of three baskets to the delight of the second, third and fourth graders.
The four robotics team members revealed how the group built and programmed the robot in a six-week period and how they participated in competitions with various other robotics teams in the tri-state area. The Viking Robotics team has attended several regional competitions and may have a shot at a competition in St. Louis. Six Cedar Mountain students, two from each grade, were selected to experience controlling Robot 1989. With an assist from the team, each student had a chance to control the joystick-type control, sending the robot wheeling across the floor and throwing a ball through a hula-hoop.
At the conclusion of the 50-minute robotics demonstration, Principal Mudrick commented that perhaps some of the younger students will someday aspire towards becoming future robotics team members.