Coaches for the Bananos Lego Robotics team don’t have far to go for practices ? Laura and Bruce Ushiro transformed their dining room into a training facility, with computers, 8-by-4-foot game table and lots of Legos.
‘It seemed the most logical place to go,? Laura said. ‘We didn’t have much furniture here to begin with, and it has easy access to the kitchen.?
‘For snacks,? said Bananos team members, all students at Sashabaw Middle School.
The team is a veteran of Lego Robotics competition, based last year at Pine Knob Elementary School.
One change was made in honor of Lego Robotics environmentally friendly theme this year ? uniforms previously banana yellow are now environmentalist green.
The team includes Laura and Bruce Ushiro’s son Scott Ushiro, Alex Stegmeyer, Jacob Ager, Spencer Miller, and triplets Monica, Daniel, and Megan Kinsey.
This is Megan’s first year with the team.
‘It’s fun ? it’s taught me how to program and how to run a robot,? she said.
‘I learned about arm-tech pieces, nanobots, and loads of other stuff,? said Stegmeyer, who, along with Scott is a three-year member of the team.
For their research and presentation portions of the competition, the team selected the Ushiro house in Independence Township.
‘I spend most of my time here,? Scott said. ‘It would have the biggest impact.?
The team conducted an energy audit on the house, researched different forms of energy, and made a list of power-saving recommendations for their coaches.
Some things they learned:
‘Appliances use a lot of energy if they’re plugged in, even if they’re turned off,? Monica said. ‘Instead of incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights save energy dollars.?
‘Solar panels save a lot of energy ? up to 90 percent,? Scott said.
Ager found a slogan for toilet water conservation ? ‘if it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down,? he said.
‘We learned about upgrades ? there are energy efficient models of a lot of appliances,? Stegmeyer said. ‘Power strips let you shut off a lot of appliances easily so they won’t use energy.?
‘Caulking and insulation keeps energy in, instead of flowing out the cracks,? Daniel said.
‘Lower the thermostat,? Miller said. ‘Close the damper on your fireplace so the heat won’t escape.?
‘Reduce, reuse, recycle,? Megan said.
The team is training for the state competition Dec. 15 at Carman Ainsworth Middle School. They qualified Nov. 17 at regionals, earning a Research Quality Trophy.
‘We’re working on getting our speed up,? Laura said. ‘There’s a lot to do in 2 1/2 minutes.
Check ClarkstonNews.com for more pictures of the Bananos team.