February 3, 2010
The Game and the Build:

The ladies this year on Team 1547 are very enthusiastic for our build season! We all got together for the kick off of the game video and watched it. We were all excited for this new season to begin. The game this year seems to be very strategic and different from any other game I have experienced. We've been working hard on different strategies and ways we would be able to succeed this year. All the girls are working very hard to make this year our best year yet. We have so much talent and skill to work with this year and that excited me very much! Everyone is putting their heart and soul into our robot which is wonderful to see. We seem to be getting more and more enthusiasm every year we continue with our team. I am hoping that the rest of the build season continues with our hard work and dedication. GO WALDO!

-Jennifer, Assistant Team Captain

Closing Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

December 2, 2009
Community and FLL Achievement:

If nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm, then Waldo’s made of something big. Last Thursday, November 26, 2009 marked the date of Team 1547’s annual Kick-Off event we hold for our team, mentors, teachers, parents, sponsors, and special guests. Every year we like to take the time to thank all those involved in contributing to the success of our team, ensuring they are well recognized for their support.
Also in Waldo’s calendar of events was the Durham Regional FLL Tournament on Saturday, November 28. As Trafalgar played host to teams from near and far, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Two of our school’s FIRST Lego League teams (FLL [FIRST Lego Ladies] and the Waldo Jr’s) even qualified for the provincial championships at UOIT in January; where Waldo will once again be making a guest appearance as volunteers at the event.
Then of course there was the beloved Whitby Santa Claus Parade, a new tradition for Team 1547. With the mild weather and sun shining brightly the team paraded proudly through our community; displaying Waldo V in a hybrid truck courtesy of GM and handing out candy canes. With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s hard to believe that game season for 2010 is almost here. But Waldo is ready and waiting for our next challenge, and the team is looking forward to another successful year ahead. Go Waldo!

-Amelia, Robotics Prefect

Closing Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think..”

 

October 28, 2009
The Beginning - PreSeason:

The girls on Team 1547, "Where's Waldo?" are eager for another fun and exciting year of Robotics! Right now, the team is busy writing sponsorship letters, booking hotels & regional events, and working out our operating budget. We have plenty of new students joining the team this year in addition to our dedicated returning students. All of them are enthusiastically waiting for the season to begin.
The Business Team is working on ironing out all the finances and events to insure a smooth and successful season. The Technical Team has begun to prepare for the upcoming season through stimulating design challenges that will mimic the design process they will need to apply later in the season.
In striving to embody the FIRST philosophy of Gracious Professionalism, we hope to inspire and look forward to potentially helping a Cree School in Waapihtiiwewan, Quebec, to start their own Robotics Teams. In addition to this we have many other projects and events underway.
Here's to another year of hard work, partnership, competition, innovation, and most importantly, fun!

-Sangitha, Team Captain

Closing Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.”

First, I'd like to thank the team's sponsors. Your time, money and
material have made, and will continue to make a huge difference to the
lives of young women on this team, at this school, and in the community.
I'd also like to thank the mentors and teachers. Their hard work and
dedication are very much appreciated. They make this team shine!

Let me explain why I'm so passionate about FIRST, and this team in
particular:

Research has shown that while the enrolment of women in undergraduate
engineering programs increased from under 4% in 1975 to around 21% in
2001, the number of girls pursuing engineering in university has
levelled off, and even decreased since then, to less than 18%. And
while some areas, such as biosystems and environmental engineering, have
38% women enrolled, in other areas, like computer and mechanical
engineering, it's closer to 10%. In the work force, the numbers are
even lower. Today, women only account for less than 10% of the
country's total population of registered professional engineers. As a
woman who's a Mechanical Engineer, those are some statistics I'd like to
change!

FIRST Robotics isn't just about building a robot or winning an event, it
is about the people who are part of FIRST and the impact that FIRST
makes. All of the teams work towards the goal of achieving FIRST's
mission - to change the way young people think about science and
engineering and to inspire recognition of the benefits and career
opportunities in these fields.

Team 1547, "Where's Waldo?" has an infectious enthusiasm for FIRST - ask
anyone involved, in Ontario or as far as Israel, and they'll be able to
tell you exactly where Waldo is! We have worked hard to change the way
young women regard science and technology, and to prove that Girls Can!
We are creating a supportive environment in which girls are encouraged
to explore and discover science and engineering and are challenged to
strive beyond traditional boundaries. Many girls submit to peer
pressure not wanting to be perceived as geeks or nerds. Instead, they
bury their potential in math and science just to be accepted. We prove
that girls can be smart, chic and beautiful, and at the same time, just
as capable as the boys.

Being on the team has inspired girls who would have never considered
engineering to do just that. A number of Where's Waldo? alumnae are at
universities studying engineering right now. We have introduced science
to young girls by helping brownie troupes with their Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math badges and by supporting the school's
FIRST LEGO League teams. We also help to run the local FIRST LEGO
League tournament. I wouldn't be surprised if there are girls on other
FIRST teams who, after seeing us at work, have joined in building their
team's robot.

A gentleman by the name of Ralph WALDO Emerson once said "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it
with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own
personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful and
you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without
enthusiasm." If that's true, which I truly believe it is, I don't think
there's any limit to what this team can achieve!

Looking forward to a great year!

Lyndsey