written by, Drew Hammond Bhutanese Ministry Apprentice
One of our favorite activities in the Bhutanese Middle School Leaders In Training program is our participation in the Lego League. The students in this program are given a choice between participating in Lego League or dance class. This year 7 of our students chose Lego League. Here is a brief description of what Lego League is “Tomorrow’s innovators practice imaginative thinking and teamwork. Guided by two or more adult Coaches, FIRST LEGO League* teams (up to 10 members, grades 4-8**) research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS®, then compete on a table-top playing field.” http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll
The students are given a real world scientific problem and tasked with finding a tangible solution. The theme for this year was “Trash Trek.” The problem that our students saw was the difference in how trash and waste are handled in their home country of Nepal and how it is handled in the United States. Their solution was to create a video skit to teach their community members how handling trash is different here in Kansas City. This past weekend was the Kansas City area competition and our students received the judges award for their impressive project presentation and demonstration of this Lego League’s core values of Inspiration, Teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism.The judges were extremely impressed that these students decided to participate in Lego League in place of dance class during LIT. The judges personally wrote the following summary of why our team received the award: “This team found strength in their diversity and made it an asset. None of them chose to be dancers, but they all boogied through the competition with rhythmic leadership.”
Leadership Development is one of our core values at Mission Adelante. When our students received the Judges Award at the Lego League competition it was a huge victory for them and for Mission Adelante as an organization. They displayed all the things they have learned in Leaders In Training. We are proud of our students and how they represented our programs and organization.
Other News:
Later today we will post a Mission Adelante Christmas Wish List here on our blog. Please stay tuned for more information...
Important Dates:
- Mission Adelante is holding a Volunteer Training on Saturday, January 9 to familiarize and orient new volunteers to our whole ministry as well as the area in which they’ll serve. We ask that each volunteer attend this training once, preferably at the beginning of his or her first term serving. The training will be at the Mission Adelante facility located at 22 S. 18th Street in Kansas City, KS 66102. We’ll begin with a continental breakfast at 9:00 a.m. and wrap-up at 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be served from a local Mexican restaurant (a $5 contribution is suggested).
- All volunteers that will serve with the Latino and Bhutanese outreach programs this spring are invited to attend our All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert on Monday, January 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Mission Adelante. We want to get everyone on the same page for a great launch, as well as to give you a chance to connect with the rest of the volunteers before you disperse to the various programs.
- Bhutanese programs launch Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Mission Adelante and other Kansas City, Kansas locations.
- Latino programs launch Thursday, January 14th at 6:30 p.m. at Mission Adelante and other Kansas City, Kansas locations.