Torrance, California, School Wins ION Mini-Urban Challenge
June 1, 2011
The Institute of Navigation (ION) announces that West High School of Torrance, California won the 2011 ION Mini-Urban Challenge held May 21 at the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History.
Sponsored by the Institute of Navigation and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the ION Mini-Urban Challenge is a national event that challenges high school students to work in teams to design and operate a robotic car, built from a LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit, that can accurately navigate autonomously through a LEGO city. The competition is intended to expose students to the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
More than 500 students from 50 high schools competed in five regional competitions held in Louisiana, Florida, California, Washington, D.C., and Ohio. First and second place winners from each of the five Regional Competitions were invited to compete in the National Competition. Each team was judged based on their cumulative scores earned throughout the competition phases: 30 percent of the total score was based on a technical presentation; and 70 percent of the total score was based on the course navigation portion of the competition.
First place was awarded to West High School of Torrance, California, led by faculty advisor Marcia Kim.The first place prize included $2,500 for the winner’s school and a gold LEGO trophy. Second place was awarded to Hagerty High School of Oviedo, Florida, led by mentor Don Harper. The second place price included $1,000 for the winner’s school and a gold LEGO trophy. Third place was awarded to Westerville City Schools of Westerville, Ohio, led by faculty advisor Susan Holland. The third place price included $500 for the winner’s school and a gold LEGO trophy. A special “Best in Show” and “Best Presentation” award went to Knight High School of Palmdale, California led by faculty advisor Mary Baxter.
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