WSU robotics club visits LaCrosse

Lacrosse

The WSU Robotics Club "programmed" their way into LaCrosse for an open house Saturday. The students came with the aim of inspiring those who saw their demonstrations and projects. They had a vehicle that could climb stairs, and they offered chances to program a robot to move around a course, make 3D items, fly drones and learn programming.

Kathleen Parker, one of the organizers of the event, said the visit lets the kids know that robotics is going to be in our life in one capacity or another for medical fields, engineering, architecture or business.

Matt Wysock, science teacher at LaCrosse, hopes this is a start for more to come.

“I would like to see more technology in the high school and in the junior high as well. I wanted to get robotics started and more programming into our curriculum. Jobs are available and the equipment they will be using rely on programming. So ultimately I would like to find a way to roll this into the curriculum somewhere so (students) have some exposure. Even if they don't come out able to program apps on iPhones, they at least understand what it is and how to do it and be able to make an informed decision whether this could be a career path for them.”

Sponsorship and funding are important factors in determining how much exposure LaCrosse schools can give their students. Matt would be glad to hear from anyone interested in helping.

Nicole Kopp from the Whitman County Library was also at Robotics Day. The library was awarded a grant to introduce programming to students 12 years of age and up. The two-hour class will be coming to the LaCrosse schools and the students will learn what it takes to program a light sequence. Nicole also has STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) learning kits, complete with instructions, for parents to work with their children at home.

Randy Camp, Steve Camp and Tedd Nealey, members of the LCP Economic Development Committee, made a trip to Sprague to see Ag Energy's prototype of their Integrated BioMass machine in operation. The machine produces charcoal (biochar) from burning farm residue (straw, weeds, etc.) The biochar is in high demand for soil enhancement and purifying many products such as drinking water. Ag Energy has located many markets willing to purchase the product.

Also other energy byproducts may be economically feasible. The committee believes this may be a viable business that would benefit the LaCrosse community. Types of business ventures, financing and location for a plant are now being discussed.

Santa comes to town Dec. 12 at the Gathering Place. LaCrosse High seniors will serve breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m. for $7.