Preseason: August 25 Building Day

After the fun of Ocean Odyssey, there was no question that we would participate in NanoQuest. Unfortunately, we lost both of the girls from our team - both returned to institutional school this year and won't have time to participate.

Our returning team members got together in late summer to build some of the new models from the NanoQuest Challenge field kit. It was a busy, fun day. These models are complicated, and some are quite tricky to build.

We can see where they go on the mat, but we're not quite sure of placement or what the missions might be. There are a lot of loose items and we are guessing they will have to be delivered from base, rather than retrieved from the field. Last year included a lot of retrieving, so delivering will be new to us.

The adults spent a while considering our coaching strategies for this year, while the kids built. We agreed that Chaz and I will focus on the robotics, and Monique will lead the project meetings. The younger sibs should be able to play on their own this year and won't need any special activities planned for them. We also agreed to a schedule much like last year: every Tuesday and alternate Fridays for a half-day each time, with part of each Tuesday meeting devoted to the project.

The team also started talking about nanotechnology, considering the science behind the various mission models. One of the big questions from the kids was about how much of this technology is actually possible. Are there really stain-free pants? Well, okay, fine, but do scientists really think they can build an elevator to space?

There are some clear areas of interest already - the ethics and environmental questions are big for this team after their extensive work on environmental issues last year. The space elevator and the possibilities of carbon nanotubes being used for various purposes have really caught the imagination of a couple of the kids.

And there is also some concern about how difficult this topic is - how can children be expected to comprehend this to a level where they can offer valid insights and truly innovative solutions that are not just imaginary? The kids are feeling like they have their work cut out for them, and in truth they are a little apprehensive.