Local robotics team makes shower for astronauts
Leamington robotics team eagerly solves dirty dilemma faced by astronauts
A group of Leamington kids is trying to change the way astronauts shower in space.
As part of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League challenge, the 10 students on Cardinal Carter Catholic Middle School’s robotics team, Cougarbotics, have created a prototype microgravity shower called H2GO. Currently, astronauts are forced to spot wash with damp towels and no-rinse shampoo, but the team’s creation would allow them to shower like they would on Earth: The cylindrical, confined space they designed is meant to capture all of the water it sprays, allowing astronauts to bathe fully without any droplets floating away to cause damage to other parts of the space station.
The robotics team’s shower, as well as their ability to work as a team and build and program task-oriented robots, won them a spot at an international FIRST Lego League competition in Arkansas in May. “I think they are the most well-rounded team, perhaps even the best team I’ve come across,” said coach and teacher David Kostanjevec. “They’re just so eager, and go well above and beyond. I am very proud of them.” Since the second week of September, students on the team have met every day to work on robotics in some form or another, Kostanjevec said. That included before and after school, at lunchtime, on weekends and PA Days, and even during holiday breaks.
“It’s been a massive undertaking on their part to make all of this,” Kostanjevec said. “There are so many things that have to fall into place, and to compete at the level they’re trying to compete at requires this attention. The commitment of the team has been tremendous.”
In creating H2GO for the project segment of the FIRST competitions, the students conducted extensive research, which included consulting with experts in related industries. Frank Frabotta at Baymar Supply Ltd. taught the students about HVAC technology; employees of Custom Concepts Machining provided them with materials to make the shower while guiding them through methods to build it; and Canadian astronaut and engineering professor Kristiina Mai shared her insights with them during a team trip to Ryerson University. “We’re always making improvements based on people’s feedback,” said 12-year-old Alexa Kenneth- Ogah.
Even after winning first place at the local FIRST competition in December, the students continued their daily efforts. On Feb. 9, the team placed second overall at the Ontario West Provincial Championships, and received a separate award for the H2GO prototype. The shower project — referred to by FIRST as “innovation” — makes up only one-third of their mark. Separately from H2GO, the team is assessed on its core values: in front of a panel of judges, the team must perform a challenge they have little way to prepare for, and are assessed based on how well they work together.
Robot development, the final aspect, gives the team 2.5 minutes to build a robot using Lego, sensors, mechanisms, motors, and subsystems, and program it using computer coding to complete a series of tasks, like moving a tiny astronaut figure from one place to another.
“Obviously, you’re very stressed because you have three things to perform — your robot, your innovation, and core values — but if you have an amazing team and amazing friends, you guys can all come together,” Lucas Makhlouf, 13, the team’s main builder said of competition days. “It’s a nice big fun experience to go to.”
“It’s really great to see the other teams,” said Kenneth-Ogah. “We walk around and get to ask them questions. They’re really sweet. We always just pat each other on the back and say ‘good job,’ and we wish each other good luck.” Coaches Kostanjevec, Rima Mastronardi, and Ida Ricci-Minaudo will travel with the team to Arkansas for the FIRST Lego League Razorback Open Invitational competition May 16-19.
We always just pat each other on the back and say ‘good job,’ and we wish each other good luck.