In 2003, the TechnoKats approached Bona Vista, a local non-profit comprehensive rehab center for children and adults, to aid them with some new rehabilitation techniques. As a blend of fun and science, several of our students taught basic engineering principles to a large group of young kids during the "Tinkertoy Challenge". In 2004, some of our students offered to mentor a Lego League team sponsored by Bona Vista. They taught the kids basic software, design concepts, and how to prepare for competition.
The TechnoKats also helped Bona Vista with another project which involved using several pieces of previous year's robots. The RoboBox is a 7 ft. tall LEXAN box which is mounted in the corner of the children's activity room. On two open sides of the box, there will be shelves which hold push buttons, palm switches, keyboards, joysticks, etc. that control things going on inside of the box, such as: robot arms, pneumatic slides, beacons, light tower or anything necessary. This box will impacts special needs children and adults who need devices which give feedback for their actions, and see robots move when they press buttons to increase their interest and skill in operating buttons and switches.
For the fourth year, several teachers and students have led the efforts to help fundraise for Bona Vista by designing and building 2 of the 18 holes for a putt-putt course. This course, based on Kokomo landmarks, is set up in the local mall for the community to enjoy while supporting the organization. Many TechnoKats have enjoyed helping with this project and later playing the course to support the cause.
| Tinkertoy Challenge | |||
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| Robo Box | |||
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| Putt Around Kokomo | |
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