Colorado 2011

[JKrafsur]

Now that I think about it, I'll see you in the same room for Solar System at 1:00pm tomorrow. See ya there

[sweetcoop]

And just to point it out, for Write It Do It, the three teams that medaled were from the Souther Region.

And on a small side note, OMG Pouder HS got beat by Chyenne Mt. I for one didn't see that comming but at least for Divison C the Souther Region is going to be represented.

[hscmom]

Hey, I'll see you there. We got 5th in SS at Northern Rgls. Do you people from homeschool science think you can get to nationals?

Next year. Missed it by 12 points. Next year.

RIGHT JUSTINE?

This is more fun than speech and debate, really! We tried them both and here we are. Don't want to lose you...

[JKrafsur]

Next year is gonna be a strange year in science olympiad, with all of the rotating events and new ones coming in, I guess that could be good/bad for our team.

Sidenote: I never saw Poudre getting beat by Cheyenne Mtn, a team that beats Poudre has a shot to get top 5 in nationals in my opinion.

[Balsa Man]

Sidenote: I never saw Poudre getting beat by Cheyenne Mtn, a team that beats Poudre has a shot to get top 5 in nationals in my opinion.

Couple things to consider though; in the years Poudre's been going to nationals, their National placing has been in the 15th to 10th (I think was their highest, can't remember for sure). The key to Cheyenne Mtn beating them this year (by 5 points) was Write-it-Do it; 21st place. If they'd just placed 15th, they would have won. That said, I do wish Cheyenne Mtn all the best - a very solid team.

[Frogger4907]

Sidenote: I never saw Poudre getting beat by Cheyenne Mtn, a team that beats Poudre has a shot to get top 5 in nationals in my opinion.

Couple things to consider though; in the years Poudre's been going to nationals, their National placing has been in the 15th to 10th (I think was their highest, can't remember for sure). The key to Cheyenne Mtn beating them this year (by 5 points) was Write-it-Do it; 21st place. If they'd just placed 15th, they would have won. That said, I do wish Cheyenne Mtn all the best - a very solid team.

Same thing for St. James in KS, lost because of Write it do it... the event needs like trained supervisors or it needs to go.

[JKrafsur]

Really, it came down to Write It/Do It? I figured it was anatomy (considering that it was the last event announced in suspense, and Poudre got 5th while Cheyenne Mtn. got 1st in that)

[hscmom]

Really, it came down to Write It/Do It? I figured it was anatomy (considering that it was the last event announced in suspense, and Poudre got 5th while Cheyenne Mtn. got 1st in that)

Anatomy wasn't enough of a spread between CMHS and Poudre to swing it all by itself. Besides WIDI, there was a score gap in Disease and CMHS got 2nd in Sumobot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0On1QiSk80 -- sorry had to brag) whereas Poudre got 14 (ouch).

But, boy, that was a close tourney...

[Balsa Man]

sorry had to brag)

Have to say, that was one awsome SumoBot you guys came up with. Not only was it a superb tool, it was VERY well driven. I saw a lot of good time in design and build, and in practice to use it effectively. Hats off to a great job. Looking at the building events results, w/ Homeschool Colo Science taking 4 of them, clearly the home environment - living with, becoming one with your device is a key to good results. Periodic building get-togethers just don't cut it to get to the top level.

[hscmom]

Have to say, that was one awsome SumoBot you guys came up with. Not only was it a superb tool, it was VERY well driven. I saw a lot of good time in design and build, and in practice to use it effectively. Hats off to a great job. Looking at the building events results, w/ Homeschool Colo Science taking 4 of them, clearly the home environment - living with, becoming one with your device is a key to good results. Periodic building get-togethers just don't cut it to get to the top level.

Thank you for the kind words. That was my daughter driving it. She's a natural at events that require grace under pressure. She admitted she was downright scared but she manages to conjure up a certain concentration that serves our team well in robot events.

I appreciate the kind words. Sumobot was a difficult event for our team. The young man who made our team's first Sumobot quit the team after Regionals and we had to scramble to cover Sumo and some other events he left behind. All we had was our old Robocross Vex from B div two years ago -- and a credit card. So, we had about five weeks to research, ask around, order parts, chase down scrap metal (our body was free scrap from a metal working shop), design, build, rebuild, etc. Finally we had a decent machine but we weren't sure how it would do since it was truly untested. We put it up against thrift store and Craig's list RC trucks and a heavy box of potatoes. I went against it on my hands and knees armed with a dollar store dustpan. What we had looked good, but how would it stand up in competition. It felt good to do well since Sumobot literally took every free minute that we had. We skipped family dinners so that the girls (my daughter and another team member, and often both dads) could grab a burger as they spent evenings working at the hobby shop and a friend's workshop. It was all-consuming. And when you get all-consumed, it's good to get a little recognition. If you saw a crazed adult jump up and scream as they won that last round, it was me. It was a good payoff for the hard work.

Yes, perhaps when you live with your device you become one with it. You also become a little insane too. Our house looks crazy right now. We've got four building events housed here (other families host other events). We've got the Sumobot in a box in the living room and there is still tape on the wood floor. The Battery Buggy (B div) is in a box next to it. My other daughter needs to stash her PVC flute and we've got the Mission Possible in the garage. We want to video tape it running before we disassemble it.

Thank you for your input too -- I understand you talked to Cheryl some and gave her hints. Look forward to meeting you in person one day since you are sort of legendary in Colorado!