Final Day of Globals

Today marked the final official day of Global Finals. The team had finished presenting their two challenges already, so they just learned and relaxed today. We started out the day by supporting the Ledyard Middle School team, The Ninja Cupcakes, as they presented their team challenge to the appraisers. Then the boys participated in a fitness and nutrition challenge call Activation Exchange. They did various activities like rock climbing, jumping, etc., ate a healthy snack and made a pledge. They went to the Innovation Expo to buy souvenirs, trade pins and check out a few more exhibits. After lunch they discovered an indoor recreation center and were able to play billards, ping pong and bowl for a couple of hours. We then headed off to the only Dairy Queen in the area across town. It was our first venture out in the vehicle since we arrived. We enjoyed ice cream in a small park and celebrated Avery's 12 birthday. When we arrived back at the dorm, the boys played in the courtyard together for an hour or so, just fooling around. After dinner, we headed over for the awards ceremony. They showed a video at the beginning of the event and one of the characters in our presentation, Grandpa Edwards (Christian), was included. There were many awards and our challenge was presented last. They aired a very short video to introduce our challenge, DI-BOT, and we were amazed to see the boys' robot in action on the screen. It was the only robot shown in the short video out of the hundreds made. It was another proud moment for the boys! They did not place this year - the appraisers penalized them on a rule technicality that was interpreted differently at the state tournament. I keep telling them that it isn't about winning, it's about learning, doing it without adult intervention and getting better all the time. Their performance the other day was their best ever in six years, and they did it all on their own. We are proud of them!

Instant Challenge Day

(All three teams from Ledyard, above.) Day 4 was busy and fun, again, plus we had the time to really explore several other learning opportunities, experiences, demonstrations, etc. After breakfast, the boys were first in line for the 3M Aftershock Challenge. They had to solve a series of problems in small and large groups. Next we watched the other Ledyard Center School, Team WACKL, perform their team challenge. Theirs was improvisational and they did an excellent job. Then they participated in a discussion group. Next they built towers with Keva blocks (see Tweets for pictures). At noon, everyone gathered around and took turns throwing balls at a 30 foot tower that was built of blocks. Eventually, it came crashing to the ground. Building with blocks and wrecking your creation is fun, but even more so when it is 30 feet tall! I'll post a YouTube video of the spectacle in a few days. Next, they did a fitness challenge and then we headed off to the CT delegation's pizza party. It was fun to share with the other teams. We headed off to compete in the Instant Challenge early afternoon. At that point the week was wearing on their energy. After Italian ice and a pep talk they entered the challenge site ready to go. The challenge is a secret so I can't say more. We went back to the dorm for an hour of quite time, ate and rested another hour until the evening thunderstorms blew over. Rejuvenated and excited to continue celebrating Avery's birthday, we headed down to the recreation complex. After a long game off soccer with a Mexican team (they were good!), the boys enjoyed an hour of diving off the springboards and high dive. Flips were the activity of the night. After showering they went straight to bed (for a change). I think they are finally more tired than I am! Tonight is Closing Ceremonies, tomorrow is a travel day. Stay tuned to our Tweets.

Photos Uploaded

Finally, found WiFi and posted two new albums.

• Central Team Challenge
• Global Finals Fun

International Friends

Through pin trading, the International Fair and just running into people all over UT and the KCC, the boys are meeting more and more children from around the world (here Korea) who share the same passion for problem solving and creativity - one of the intangible benefits of competing at Global Finals.

Central Team Challenge

Day 3 is in the books. It was another long and fun day. I don't know what these kids are going to do when they get back to "normal life." This morning marked one of the two most important moments of our trip, the Central Team Challenge. They had been working on their solution to the DI-BOT Challenge for 7 months, and it had been getting better and better. It all came together wonderfully for them in front of the judges. Having seen them perform so many times, I have seen so many "mistakes" in different parts of their presentation. This performance was flawless. There was one point when Aaron noticed something was potentially going to go wrong and he thought ahead and improvised. I was sweating it out, not ever being allowed to give advise. When the moment came, he made a small modification to his plan and no one knew of the "mistake." There was no mistake! These kids can clearly think on their feet! Ah, the beauty of DI shines again. Here Gianni and Avery explain the robot to the judges.

In the afternoon, they traded pins, swam, played soccer and swam some more. After dinner they had an epic, 2-hour pin trading session, meeting countless other children from around the U.S. and the world, while we enjoyed an Improv Festival with 3 stages.

Opening Day

Long, fun productive day today. After breakfast, we went over early to the prop room and the boys went to work. They did a great job finishing up the staging and curtains. The set works better than ever! However, they ran into a major hurdle when they discovered that their robot was crushed in transport. The servo that turns the wheel broke. They figured out a way to wire it together. Good thing they came prepared with a repair/tool kit. Next a wire came loose. Their cardboard props were tired, too, and needed plenty of duct tape. In the end, all was working well and their final rehearsal was quite successful. After lunch they were finally able to enjoy an afternoon of fun. They swam in the pool, attended a pep rally, and then ran around in a fountain. After dinner we were treated to a spectacular Opening Ceremony. Tomorrow we rise early as we compete at 10:24 am. Stay tuned.

Time for Global Finals

Day one is in the books. Everything went very smoothly. Our non-stop flight arrived early. Baggage was already on the carousel when we arrived at baggage claim. The rental van was prepaid and ready with the keys in it. The trip across from Nashville to Knoxville was smooth. The boys enjoyed singing and convincing the trucks to honk! Registration was really fast this year. After getting settled in our rooms, we went over to the competition site to set up props. The boys worked hard, almost missing dinner. They ended the day trading pins with kids from all over. I hope they are as exhausted as I am!