APS First LEGO League Tournament Coming to Grady

It will be the first ever LEGO tournament and exhibition in Atlanta Public Schools.

The Grady High School Robotics & STEM Alliance and the G3 Robotics Team have announced the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Qualifying Tournament & Junior FIRST LEGO League Exhibition to be held Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at Grady High School.

Students in grades K-8 are introduced through FLL and Jr. FLL to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.

G3 Robotics will host an FLL & Jr. FLL Pre-Kick Off Information Session for adults Thursday, Aug. 30 from 7 – 9 p.m., in the Grady High School cafeteria. As of Wednesday morning, 65 people had already signed up. To register for the free Pre-Kick Off Info Session, please visit here.

The agenda will include: 

· What exactly is a robotics competition?
· What is the role of students?
· What is the role of the teacher?
· What is the role of the adult mentor or parent?
· What are the costs involved?
· How do I register a team and order the kit of parts?
· Where can I find additional information?

Elementary and middle-school students will:

1) Design, build, test and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS;
2) Apply real-world math and science concepts;
3) Research challenges facing today’s scientists;
4) Learn critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills;
5) Participate in tournaments and celebrations.

All FLL and Jr. FLL Teams registered to participate in the Grady FLL Qualifying Tournament or Jr. FLL Exhibition will be invited to attend two training sessions prior to competition:

1) FLL & Jr. FLL Kick Off, Friday, Sept. 14, 6 – 9 p.m. at Grady HS. This is an intensive training session for one adult and up to two students per team. The team representatives who attend will go home with a wealth of knowledge to share with the other members of their team.

2) FLL & Jr. FLL Scrimmage, Friday, Nov. 9, from 6 – 9 p.m. at Grady HS. This will be a low pressure help session with experienced judges and coaches. Entire teams will have the opportunity to receive advice and guidance on all aspects of their project.

If you have any questions about the program or registration process, please contact grady.robotics@gmail.com.

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G3 Robotics Team Seeking Machinist & Machine Shop

The Grady HS Robotics team is seeking a professional machine shop nearby to partner with the team. The teams needs a machinist that can volunteer on a short term basis to instruct a small group of focused, highly motivated students in the proper use of a drill press, band saw, milling machine, and a sheet metal machine. 

The students have knowledge of basic operation and are seeking to advance their skills. 

Experience working with students is preferred but no formal teaching experience is required. The training can be scheduled to accommodate to machinist's schedule in the afternoons, evenings, or on the weekend.

Separate from instruction, the team also needs a machine shop that can donate time and labor for the fabrication of parts currently beyond the capabilities of our school-based shop.

Please contact the team's coach, Andrew Nichols, at grady.robotics@gmail.com  for more information or to volunteer.