FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STUDENTS FIND TECHNOLOGY LEARNING

OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH LEGOS

DANVILLE, VA, Dec. 12, 2002  -- When technology-learning opportunities present themselves, the students of Southside Virginia are quick to respond! 

The FIRST Lego League Championships were held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg recently, and students in Danville Community College’s Growing Digital Network program were on hand to broadcast the event live --- on the Internet. 

Sponsored by the Regional Center for Applied Technology & Training (RCATT) at DCC, Growing Digital is a regional technology outreach program that provides opportunities for middle and high school-aged youth to learn about and use information technology through workshops. The learning environment is moved from the classroom into the community, whereby local events are video streamed for webcasting. Through creating and editing the digital video, students produce relative digital content that can then be live/tape-delayed as Internet broadcasts.

The FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) Lego League is an annual international event designed to motivate youth to take an interest in science, math, or technology through practical applications of Lego toys.  The event is open to children aged 9 to 14 years old.  Students participate in teams of four to 10 students to build robots using Lego blocks.  Each year, the League presents a special challenge for which the robots must be designed.

This year’s challenge, “City Sights,” explored the obstacles urban planners face to provide basic services such as housing, clean water, safe environments, educational and medical assistance, sustainable energy, and mass transportation to city inhabitants.  Students designed Lego robots to do tasks, such tasks as move Lego-sized barrels of toxic waste or hoist Lego-sized beams onto simulated city buildings.

“Covering the Lego League is a natural fit for our students,” explained Growing Digital project coordinator Terry McGhee, RCATT’s IT director.  “Our kids learn technology through hands-on applications of technology.  They covered students from all over the state who are also learning technology through hands-on applications.” 

The webcast of the Lego games was well attended by online audiences with the site receiving over 1,000 “hits” (i.e., people logging onto the site to watch the shows). 

Like other programs produced by the students, The Lego League videos are stored in online archives so viewers who missed the live broadcast can watch the event at a later date.  The programs include both video and audio and are much like watching a show on television.  In the past, Growing Digital students have covered events such as the American Legion Baseball World Series, local high school athletic events, and stock car races at the South Boston Speedway.  Growing Digital programs can be accessed online at www.growingdigital.net .

Students and parents who supported coverage of the Lego League Championships are: 

 1.  Daron Lollis, Parent

 2.  Betty Lollis, Parent

 3.  Amanda Lollis, 9,Twin Springs Elementary School

 4.  Cory Lollis, 13, Blairs Middle School

 5.  Matt Lollis,14, Galileo Magnet High School

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 6.  Doug Myers, Parent

 7.  Cindy Myers, Parent

 8.  Dustin Myers, 10, Kentuck Elementary School

9.  Derrick Myers, 14, Dan River High School

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10.  Gary Heath, Parent

11.  Lindy Heath, Parent

12.  Joseph Heath, 15, Home School

13.  Jarrod Heath, 13, Home School

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14.  Mark Davis, Parent

15.  Lechia Davis, Parent

16.  Barney Davis, 15, Home School

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17.  Tyler Cassidy, 15, Galileo Magnet High School

18.  Jason Lemery, 14, Galileo Magnet High School

19.  Trevor Franklin, 14, Galileo Magnet High School

20.  Travis Archer, 13, Blairs Middle School

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21.    Andy Stoler (play-by-play commentary), teacher at Dan River High School

22.    Melissa Jones, (play-by-play commentary), administrative assistant, RCATT