A few topics

So it has been a few months since I have posted. I could say that "I have been busy", but that feels like a cop-out. It just hasn't been a priority.

There are a number of topics on which I would like to expound. So while, I won't be getting into any specific diatribe today, I wanted to list a number of topics for future posts.

Here they are, in no particular order:

• My Eagle rank that I earned in the BSA and the current discussion about returning it
• Fun events around Baltimore like Submit 10, Ignite Baltimore, Artscape, etc.
• Social media and the value of face-to-face contact
• Digital presence - why it is important
• ... and others I can't think of right now.

Thanks for reading!

~J^3

Ready to Rumble?

Q: Do you enjoy watching basketball?
A: Sure.

Q: Do you like robots?
A: Sure, they are cool.

Q: How about robots built, programmed, and controlled by high school students?
A: Intriguing. Tell me more.

Q: How about these same robots playing basketball?
A: Really?!

This week - March 9th and 10th - come out to the Baltimore Convention Center and watch 40 high school teams compete with their robots at the FIRST Robotics Competition Chesapeake Regional. FIRST is a national (and international) program which promotes science and technology for kids all of ages. FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) is all about high school teams building robots to compete in a new challenge announced each year. Every team has only six weeks to design, build, program, test, and ship a robot ... and they start from scratch!

This will be my third year as a mentor for a local Baltimore high school team. This year, I am proud to mentor the Western High School Robodoves, FIRST Team 2528! The girls have a great robot and I am excited as they are to see it in action.

I would love to have you (the reader) come out and support us and the rest of the competitors! Attendance is FREE and open to the public. It is downtown at the Baltimore Convention Center. Check out the flyer below. Not only will you get to see the robots compete, but you can tour around the pits and meet the young, intelligent, and energetic kids. Our future sure looks brighter after you see what these kids can accomplish.

More information is online as well. There is a Game Animation which explains the game and the rules. Very helpful is you plan to stay and watch the competition. Hope to see you there!

UPDATE: You can also watch online: http://robotics.arc.nasa.gov/events/2012_frcwebcasts.php#webcasts

Thanks for reading!

~J^3