The RESEARCH PROJECT

In First Lego League, there are four main scoring categories: the mission tables, the teamwork presentation, the robot presentation, and the research presentation. The research presentation is when we present the judges with all the information we learned while preparing for the competitions. This year's research project guidelines are that we must research our geographical area for something that is being impacted by climate change. We then make connections with another area in the world experiencing the same issue to learn how they are handling the problem and compare our solutions to theirs.
One week for homework, our coaches said that we need to bring in ideas for the research project topic. We all had really great ideas, from saving sea turtles due to erosion and higher sea levels, to drought and insect problems. We had a vote and the pest idea won. The insect that we are focusing on is the southern pine beetle, a small, destructive insect that kills pine trees by burrowing through it and spreading a fungus. The pine tree is being effected by climate change, and is becoming more susceptible (easily infected) due to a higher heat level.
Not only is the pine tree weaker due to increased temperatures, but those higher temperatures increase the reproductive rate of the pine beetle by allowing for an extra generation or two each season.
Now that we had a research project to focus on, it was time to talk to the experts.

Check back later for more on the Ice Wolves' progress!