The Alamogordo Science Technology Robotics Outreach (A.S.T.R.O.) Success and Innovation

The Alamogordo Science Technology Robotics Outreach (A.S.T.R.O.) program in Alamogordo is a FIRSTⓇ program serving preschool through 12th grade students in the Tularosa Valley. The A.S.T.R.O. Vikings are a high school team of 7 students that have made it a priority to spread FIRSTⓇ throughout our community. These students mentor 1 FTC team, 2 FLL-Challenge teams, 2 FLL-Explore teams and 1 FLL-Discover group. There are 41 children in the A.S.T.R.O. program. In Alamogordo, our team worked with teachers and students at Yucca Elementary, Desert Star Elementary, Holloman Elementary, North Elementary and Chaparral Middle Schools.

Additionally, the team has assisted with the Tularosa FTC team, an FLL-C team from Santa Fe and 2 teams from Idaho. The 7 students have hosted 2 FIRSTⓇ events, assisted at multiple additional events across our state, participated in STEM events at Spaceport America, COPE and Yucca Elementary, and worked closely with Alamogordo Public Schools LEGO and STEM camps. In all, our 7 high school students have over 900 outreach hours earned and have impacted 21,590 people in our community and state. We’ve also eaten 67 pizzas. In addition to reaching our community, our team also built and programmed a robot for competitions.

The A.S.T.R.O. Vikings FIRSTⓇ Tech Challenge team was awarded the prestigious Inspire Award at the New Mexico FTC State Championship on February 8th. They have earned a bid to FIRSTⓇ World Championship in Houston, Tx in April this year. They will have an opportunity to share with judges their impact in our community, and compete with 255 other FTC teams from around the world.

Additionally, one of the A.S.T.R.O. FIRSTⓇ LEGO League Challenge teams, the A.S.T.R.O. Leatherbacks competed in the New Mexico FLL State Championship on Feb. 15th and won the Champion Award. The A.S.T.R.O. Leatherbacks are an all girl, 7 member team made from 4th grade through 8th grade students. Students range from homeschool to Alamogordo Public School to Tularosa Intermediate School students. FLL-Challenge teams are required to design an innovative solution to a real world problem based on the theme of the season. This year’s theme asked students to consider problems associated with an ocean explorer. The

Leatherbacks chose to consider coral bleaching as their problem to solve and developed multiple science experiments to design their solution. The students spoke with experts in chemistry and water science. Additionally, students were judged on their ability to build a robot from LEGOs and complete as many mission challenges as possible in 2.5 minutes. They coded their robots to autonomously solve the challenges. By winning the Champion Award at the NM FLL State Championship, the team has also earned a bid to the World Championship in Houston, where they will be competing against 89 other teams from around the world.

To take two teams to World Championship, we need to raise approximately $55,000 to cover food, transportation, registration fees, and lodging, as well as other needs that arise (such as team uniforms for a multiday competition). We have two additional teams on wait lists that may have an opportunity to travel as well. We are seeking the assistance of our community to ensure these children have an opportunity to showcase their talents. We have partnered with the 501c3 Applied Dynamics Initiative to allow for donations to be accepted. To help follow this link or you may contact them for more information...

https://alamogordo.applieddynamicsinitiative.org/

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