Bay View LEGO Team Seeks Votes for $20K Grant
Monday, February 14, 2011
Robotics squads from as far a way as Israel, Alaska, along with more than 70 other teams, have locked horns to win the Global Innovation Award competition sponsored by the FIRST® LEGO® League. The award is designed to get FLL teams excited about further developing their Body Forward Projects, which each team created for their statewide competitions recently. The X PRIZE Foundation will award $20,000 to one winning team so it can file a US patent, create a prototype and get it on its way to becoming one of those “can’t live without it” inventions. Voting takes place online either via www.bayviewrobotics.com, or here. Voting continues through March 4, 5pm EST and people can vote once per day.
The top vote getter will not only win the grant, but the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will provide valuable feedback to the winning team and host an awards ceremony for the winners in Washington, DC.
According to Carol Costa, supporter of the Bay VIew Team, the girls had garnered 14,000 online votes but were in the hunt for far more from their fellow RIers.
“This is a wonderful example of the spirit of science and technology brought to life for all these students.” said Linda Grasso S.M.A.R.T. Coach from Bay VIew. “This competition has really motivated the Bay View, Mercy and Rhode Island communities. The social media sites and the buzz about our idea is really amazing."
The SMART team's proposal
SMART’s proposed real-world project: to design a pair of glasses with LIDAR sensors to assist blind people and allow them to be independent. The LIDAR sensors, using light detectors and radar, would continually scan the area to determine if an object was in the way of the person wearing the glasses. If an object or change in elevation was detected, a signal or voice (like a GPS) would be transmitted to an earpiece attached to the arm of the glasses. Additionally, the glasses would be charged by solar, like calculators are. If cars can drive themselves using sensors, why can't this device be used to "drive" blind people on the road to independence?
Honored at State House
Additionally, the SMART team will be honored at the RI State House on February 16, 2011 at 3:30pm, as the RI House of Representatives, and East Providence Representative Roberto DaSilva will bestow citations honoring the girls. The ceremony will be televised LIVE on capitol TV.
Bay View's SMART TEAM
Rebekah Pendrak, grade 5, North Providence
Blaine Lynch-Gadaleta, grade 5, North Providence
Jacqueline Capuano, grade 7, Cranston
Allison Cross, grade 7, North Providence
Soraya Pierre-Louis, grade 7, East Providence
Allison Paul, grade 7, Pawtucket
Megan Nadeau, grade 7, North Kingstown
Alix Santos, grade 8, Swansea, MA
Sarah Healy, grade 8, Bristol
Mae Lynn Harrington, grade 8, Johnston
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