Robotics' bus project is becoming reality in U. City
March 08, 2010
On November 16, Eighth grader Jahmahl Jennings and seventh grader Walter Deitzler, representing the Brittany Woods Middle School’s Soaring Eagles, FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League team, appeared before University City’s Mayor Joseph Adams, City Manager Julie Feier, council members from all three wards, and about 50 local residents at City Hall. Jennings and Deitzler made an appeal to the city council to consider a more energy efficient alternative transportation option for the Delmar Loop district. A double-decker bus was their solution to addressed the need for energy efficient transportation while also decreasing traffic congestion and providing safer streets. The area involved a two and a half mile long route to/from two metro stops including the U-City Loop Area, parts of Forest Park (History Museum) and Washington University Campus.
The concept was part of their team’s award-winning research project from the November 22 competition that qualified them to compete on January 9 in the Eastern Missouri Regional FIRST Lego League robotics competition.
At that time, Mayor Adams requested a copy of the presentation be provided to the City Clerk to be submitted to the City Manager, and recommended that the team follow-up with local businessman Joe Edwards, owner of several establishments in the Loop district, and present the double-decker proposal at the next business district meeting.
During the Feb. 8 meeting, the council announced that the pilot program’s buses were scheduled to arrive in late February.
The team's vision came to fruition on the weekend of Feb. 20-21, 2010, when community members toured double-decker buses in front of Fritz’s Restaurant in the Loop.
Robotics team members also include seventh graders Derek Bomar, Jarron Bryant, Alijah Nelson, Marion Sloan, Marquel Rodger and Charles Williams III; eight graders Crystal Clay, Joel McDonald and Devin Rankin-Wilson; mentors Rose Smotherson, Joyce A. Williams, Voncil Williams and LaVerne Ford-Williams, assistant principal; coach Dejean Dufek, from MasterCard International; and coach/teacher Barry J. Williams.
See related articles at http://www.westendword.com/NC/0/1490.html and http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/90027C1FE16F4E81862576D40002D4CC?OpenDocument
