About+Science+Club

**What is the Science Club?** The Science Club is open to all middle school students who are interested in the pursuit of science and technological challenges.

In the Science Club, students will engage in a variety of science-related activities in an environment that fosters cooperation and friendly competition.

This year, the WMS Science Club's focus will be on ROBOTICS. Starting in early September, students will begin to form teams for the //FIRST// Lego League (FLL), an international middle school robotics competition.

The FLL Challenge is a 10-week long intensive team-based competition, culminating in a day-long local tournament at Lansdale Catholic High School in November. Qualifying teams earn a chance to extend their season by representing WMS at the Regional Qualifying Tournament in early December. Top-ranking teams from this tournament have an opportunity to represent the Eastern PA Region at the Champion's Tournament, held at the University of Pennsylvania in late January/early February.

Students interested in joining the Robotics Competition Team will be required to attend tryouts, submit an application, and demonstrate skills needed to contribute to a team. Previous experience with LEGO MINDSTORMS and NXT programming are strongly recommended but not required for admission to the team. Students and parents will be asked to sign a commitment form that outlines the requirements of participation, including after school time commitment and mandatory tournament appearances.

The spring season of 2013 will consist of an instructional, noncompetitive robotics program using LEGO MINDSTORMS. This program is designed for 6th graders interested in joining the Robotics Competition team in the fall, or who would like to explore the LEGO MINDSTORMS program in a less intense environment than the fall league. This season will run for 8 weeks, from from March through May.

For each season, students are required to obtain, sign and return a permission/ commitment form prior to the start of the season. Due to competition league restrictions, enrollment is limited. Sign-ups will end when maximum team size is reached. Stay tuned to the WMS Morning News announcements for news about sign ups and meetings.

//(page updated 8/8/12) //