The following article about the Megahertz team mentions the Transformers:
NEWS FOR KIDS
LEGO team: Clayton students meet a challenge
By C.W. Cameron
For the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/26/08
Two years ago, Mattie, 12, and Jamison Bryant, 14, of Clayton County talked their mom into letting them take a LEGO class that taught them how to program the computers that turn LEGO bricks into robots.
Now the sister and brother have formed the "Megahertz" robotics team with Matt Clark, 13, and Ian Hull, 11, of Henry County. On Feb. 9, they were at Georgia Tech competing in the Georgia State Tournament for the First LEGO League. All the kids on the team are home-schooled.
First LEGO League is an international program for kids 9-14. Students are given a challenge to research and solve a real-world problem, and then to build a robot that has to navigate an obstacle course. This year's challenge? The team had to study renewable energy solutions for homes and businesses.
"We did an energy audit for the Jonesboro Pregnancy Care Center," Jamison said. The team found ways to save the center more than $1,200 a year on their energy expenses.
The team's first big win was in January at the regional championship, where they came in first. They won a first for their research presentation and were sixth among 48 teams in robot performance.
Three of the kids are eligible to team up next year, so they're preparing for next year's challenge: "Global Warming: The Climate Connection."
The winning team, the "Transformers," a home-schooled team from Marietta, will compete at the Georgia World Congress Center in April. For more info, go to www.usfirst.org.
