Robotics kicks off at Isabella

Everybody is talking about football season, but another competitive season has begun that many are unaware of — robotics.

The Mustang Engineering team at Isabella High School has just started its second year, and about 30 students attended the BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) Kickoff Day at UAB’s Bartow Arena last week to learn their objectives for this year’s project.

The team has about 40 days to design a robot to perform specific tasks accurately and efficiently.

Sheldon Price watches over the engineer design team as they attempt to design the robot.

“This is an academic program that builds confidence and teaches real world experience,” said Isabella science instructor Jay LeCroy.

Students who signed up for the program had to sign a contract and be “hired” by senior students who were named executive officers. In a sense, participating in the program will have the feel of working for a company. Those who do not fulfill the agreement of their contract, LeCroy explained, will get “fired.”

“Seniors have to manage their people and manage their time. They’re learning those skills,” he said. “They have to produce a product, and they have to meet deadlines and goals.”

The project is called “Total Recall” and relates to marketing. The team must design a robot that will move products on an assembly line. For Isabella’s robot, the product will most likely be peaches — this will give the project a direct tie to Chilton County.

“Right now, we’re in the brainstorming phase,” LeCroy said.

All schools receive an identical set of instructions and raw materials. The students must come up with a design from scratch. This will be more challenging this year because Isabella’s science labs are currently being renovated.

The school has subcontracted with LeCroy Career/Technical Center to manufacture the robot from the team’s design. LeCroy thanked the center’s director, Tommy Glasscock, for his assistance.
The students are being mentored by Rick Cofer of Alabama Power and retired engineer Sheldon Price. Also, Bryan Rosenstiel of Hoover High School has shared advice.

Although the program has received funding through grants, LeCroy pointed out that there is currently no budget set aside for engineering programs.

“We’re looking for corporate sponsors,” he said.

SportsPlus

Chilton County High School

CCHS soccer starts season with boys win, girls growth

Maplesville

AOTW: McCary posts triple-double in area final

Jemison

Jemison honors 1984-85 state runners-up girls team

News

Reeser, Seeley surpass 1,000 points in Thorsby basketball careers

Clanton

The Buzz About: Clanton hosts 30th annual Alabama Beekeepers Symposium

Clanton

Blast From the Past returns to Chilton County on Feb. 21-23

Clanton

Chilton murderers denied parole by board in January

Clanton

Lawrence accounts peach meeting, gives peach crop update

Maplesville

Maplesville claims area title for first time in over 20 years

Clanton

CAEC gives update on Chilton internet expansion

News

Verbena advances both teams to area finals with upset wins

Jemison

Jemison girls defeats Demopolis to advance to playoffs, boys semis coming up

Clanton

Turning the Page: Bollack leading new efforts at Chilton animal shelter

Clanton

Two people killed in Clanton house fire

Maplesville

Maplesville lands in final ASWA top 10 of season

Clanton

Chilton queens gather for Pillow Fight for a Cure

Clanton

Sylvia Singleton’s Mother’s Day Out in Tanzania

Clanton

Local food pantry looking for new home

News

Allgood’s 400+ tackles cracks top 30 on all-time list

Clanton

Local Clanton youth harvests first deer

Maplesville

Abbott, Little sweep Class 1A ALFCA coach awards

Clanton

Fatality on I-65 in Chilton County deemed suicide

Clanton

Search suspended for suspects in County Road 61 shooting

Clanton

Manhunt underway near County Road 61 following shooting