New Pi POD Clip

Here is the link to a new Pi POD clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy8ri8dh6mk

(Thanks to Wil Poulsen for putting this together!)

Links to Pi POD at U of U and BYU

U of U link:

http://www.utfll.utah.edu/

http://www.utfll.utah.edu/news.php

BYU Daily Universe link:

http://universe.byu.edu/node/14575

What is FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®)?

What is FLL®?  Since this is the first year that it is officially in Utah, many people are asking what this LEGO program actually is. FLL® is an incredible program started by a well-known inventor, Dean Kamen.  There are several parts of the competition:


1) Robot Design: the team builds a robot (or robots) to accomplish specific "missions" which change from year to year.


2) Robot game:  the robots are programmed to compete in a public sports type setting for points based on how many missions are completed in a 2 1/2 minute time frame.  This is not easy, but it is fun!


3) Innovative Project: the team works on a real world problem and comes up with their own innovative idea related to the challenge theme of the year.  Many successful teams visit and work with and/or share their idea with professionals in the field to get valuable input on their project.


4) Teamwork: teams are judged on their ability to work together while solving problems in front of a panel of judges.


5) Presentation: it is difficult to fit a lot of information into a small amount of time.  To top it off, try and do this in a creative presentation.  The team gets 5 minutes to share all of the information related to their innovation to a panel of judges.  The judges get 5 minutes to ask the team questions related to the project.

The important part:  the kids do the work.

To find out more about FIRST® LEGO® League go to their media page at:

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/resourcecenter.aspx?id=16935

To find out more about FLL® in Utah: 

 http://www.utfll.utah.edu/

Utah FIRST LEGO League Champion's Award Team January 29, 2011

The Dii (Diabetic Information Implant)

Thank you to everyone that voted for team Pi POD's idea on the Global Innovation Award website.  Voting is now closed and team Pi POD remained steady on the fourth page.  Voting doesn't determine winners, but it does show support.  Thank you for showing your support.  The winner will be announced at the end of April.

To see Pi POD's innovative idea in biomedical engineering go to:

http://fllinnovationaward.firstlegoleague.org/teams/pi-pod/submission/dii-diabetic-information-implant

This link will give you an overview of what the Dii is all about.

Check out Pi POD's Year in Review Slideshow on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N8RfCqyxxY&feature=related