POWERGRAMS

EDUCATION Building a Better Robot Foundation funding elementary engineering efforts Students at Kitty Stone Elementary School in Jacksonville are designing "Rockin" Lego robots and proving they have what it takes to become tomorrow's engineers, thanks to a helping hand from the Alabama Power Foundation. About 30 miles down Alabama Highway 21 at the Talladega Superspeedway Speed Channel Dome, 20 teams of middle and high school students recently put their robots in the ring at a BEST competition sponsored by Alabama Power. BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) is a nationwide program in which teams of middle and high school students build robots that perform a specific task in less than three minutes. The 2013 Central Alabama BEST Robotics Hub regional competition Nov. 2 was the second sponsored by the company. Eastern Division Vice President Julia Segars said these programs, the iCan program for middle school girls and other initiatives are allowing employees to connect with classrooms across the region, catching the students at an early age and boosting their progress through high school. "Through these programs, we are encouraging students to explore different areas of math and science, and to expand their knowledge of engineering and other technical careers," she said. "Our employees are investing their time and unique skill sets to energize the future workforce – including Alabama Power's." After learning about the Lego Mindstorm NXT Robotics educational program in 2012, Brigett Stewart knew it was a perfect way to provide her gifted class with hands-on technology experience. Through an Alabama Power Foundation grant, she purchased five Mindstorm kits, which each included the hardware and software needed to build and customize robots. The teams of third- through sixthgraders used a computer and light sensors to control the robots. They recorded their progress and included photos of each step along the way. 'Rockin' Robot won first place for Kitty Stone students.   "We see Lego Mindstorm NXT Robotics as an opportunity to get kids involved in engineering early," said Jacksonville Manager Scott Exum, who presented the grant on behalf of the foundation. "As first-year participants, Kitty Stone Elementary achieved top honors," Exum said. "We are excited to see their encouraging success and look forward to a bright future for them. The stronger we make our students, the stronger Alabama will become." One of the Kitty Stone teams won first place in the level 1 hardware 2013 state competition. Their "Rockin' Robot" was programmed to follow a guitar-shaped map. A team of fifth-graders took second place in the state with a fast-food delivery robot. Stewart said the top finishes are amazing for a school that had never participated in the competition. "Many of my students had the natural inclination toward engineering, but we didn't have many resources in this area to offer them at Kitty Stone," said Stewart, who moved into a new role this year as the digital instructional specialist for Jacksonville City Schools. "Starting the robotics program last year was just a dream until funding from the Alabama Power Foundation made it a reality. The program could not have gotten off the ground without Alabama Power." Because of the interest garnered in the program, it is being expanded at Kitty Stone to include the sixth-grade classes. Another 12 Lego kits have been purchased. Alabama Power's Eastern Division is increasing its support of technology education. As part of that effort, the foundation made a $1,000 grant to the gifted class at Jacksonville High School to help launch an underwater robotics program. Exum is on the Jacksonville City Schools' Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics advisory board. "We have brought together business, city and school leaders to brainstorm ideas to reach out to students with programs that focus on topics such as robotics and electric generation from nuclear, coal, hydro, solar and wind power," he said. At the BEST competition in Talladega, teams from 20 schools in eight east Alabama counties faced off. Eastern Division volunteers coached students as mentors at five schools, and worked as judges at the competition. "What I love about BEST is that kids not only have to build a robot, but they have to put together a business plan and Jacksonville students building robots. a technical engineering notebook, as well as a marketing presentation that will sell their product," said Eastern Division Area Manager Steve Hildebrant, who helped recruit schools for this year's competition. "Whether these kids are planning to go to engineering or technical school or just starting life, they benefit from BEST." As a mentor for the Fayetteville High School team, Oak Grove Engineer Kelsey Dunn wants to give back to the program that helped launch her career. Dunn participated in BEST during her junior and senior years at Briarwood School. "I was on the route to doing business. But the problem-solving part of building the robot spoke to me, and I realized I could use those skills in engineering," said Dunn. "Now it's nice for me to come back on the other side and use my inside knowledge of BEST to help these students." Segars said she is encouraged "by the strong working relationships we have developed with our local schools, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the students who have been touched by our efforts." By Carla Davis 5

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