Last weekend there was a wonderful free choice learning event at Lincoln City Oregon \u2013 The Remotely Operated Vehicle Competition. \u00a0It was so much fun to watch and perform the role of judge.\u00a0 This is an event that is sponsored by the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center and numerous local and national sponsors.\u00a0 The most interesting thing to me is the level of excitement that surrounds these events from all involved.\u00a0 However today I am going to write about one particular participant from last Saturday\u2019s event.\u00a0 This particular sophomore chaired his team for the Rovers portion of the competition which meant they were competing at the level to win the only slot to move forward to the international competition and prize money to help offset costs.\u00a0 This particular participant had a serious of events on Saturday that would make any person, young or old most likely walk away from the competition.\u00a0 In my mind his actions truly embodied what it means to be a good sport, but the aspects of free choice learning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
First of all during the debriefing it was clear that another team his team was competing against had not brought all their materials nor had they read the rules.\u00a0 I instantly offered to share his supplies and the printed out materials with them which he was not required to do.\u00a0 When the head judge said he did nto have to do that, the instructions were clear online, he said it is all for learning and fun isn\u2019t it \u2013 I\u2019m I allowed to share.\u00a0 We said sure.\u00a0 Next thing, his team members did not show up.\u00a0 This meant that he was instantly disqualified if he did not have at least one more person with him \u201con deck\u201d for the trails and for the competition.\u00a0 He enlisted the help of one of his family members.\u00a0 The judges told him that he still mostly would not advance as the team had changed from the date of submission.\u00a0 He said ok, but can I still go through the event.\u00a0 Yes was the answer.\u00a0 Next his ROV did not meet specs.\u00a0 He was given 20 minutes to alter it \u2013 he did it passed.\u00a0 He proceeded with the trails and placed higher then I actually thought his ROV could achieve.\u00a0 Impressive driving for the limited machine.\u00a0 However this is not all, he watched other competitors, cheered the younger competitors on.\u00a0 Walked around and read the various posters that other teams produced and encouraged the other teams throughout the event.\u00a0 When chatting with him, he remarked about how much fun this was and how much he was learning.\u00a0 All on his own choice!\u00a0 He didn\u2019t win, he didn\u2019t make the paper, but his actions stood out enough that he was voted to receive a Spirit Award that he did not know even existed.\u00a0 Congratulations \u2013 \u201cAbandoned Ship\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last weekend there was a wonderful free choice learning event at Lincoln City Oregon \u2013 The Remotely Operated Vehicle Competition. \u00a0It was so much fun to watch and perform the role of judge.\u00a0 This is an event that is sponsored by the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center and numerous local and national sponsors.\u00a0 The most… Continue reading