05/2005:

In attendance:

Peter Campbell
Paul Peterson
Mike Dvorsky
Brian Blalock
Roy Birnbrook
Kayleen Birnbrook (daughter)
Bruce Stott
Merritt Stott (son)
Matthew Mooty
David Jackson (father)
Baxter Jackson (son)
Steve Fordyce (father)
Alex Fordyce (son)
Aaron Fordyce (son)

Peter attended a special dinner and speech by Dean Kamen. Peter showed an item autographed by Dean.

Peter and Paul discussed the Discovery Forum 2005 at Lakeview Museum on April 29. The theme of the forum was A Celebration of the Art & Science of Life. Speakers, including Dean Kamen, gave special presentations. A “Peoria Prize for Creativity” was awarded to a team (out of several teams) that designed the most innovative and creative art or science project. Engineers, scientists, and artists also revealed the latest in the arts and technology in booths stationed throughout the exhibit hall. Notable technology booths included a robotic log and a manned vehicle powered by an electric drill.

Paul Peterson provided Peter Campbell with a list of library and school addresses of the libraries and schools interested in a SERVO subscription. Peter will place the orders with SERVO magazine.

One middle school is interested in having someone speak to students about hobby robotics. The school wants a speaker for next September. No decisions have been made yet as to whether we are doing this.

Peter talked about the annual RC Combat and Autonomous Sumo contests in November. Any rule changes made between last year’s and this year’s competitions should be posted on the website. Improvements / changes to future competitions could include the following:
- Reducing dead time between matches
- Lowering the entry fees
- Requiring entrants to pre-register
- Splitting the competition over more than one day
- Limiting the number of entries
- In RC Combat, Eliminating the 3 lb. “Beetle” class and only having the 1 lb. “Ant” class.

According to Mike, Caterpillar is sponsoring 10 teams for the Lego FIRST competitions for 2006. The competitions will take place in select primary and middle schools. Caterpillar needs people to help organize these competitions. Help may include setting up in the background, making phone calls, or actively working with the teams.

Peter spoke with the visiting non-members about CIRC membership.

Brian brought CDs of the images and videos taken of last year’s competition. The CDs were put in the archives. (The library archives currently contain video tapes, magazines, catalogs, and T-Shirts.)

Roy brought a LEGO Mindstorms robot.

Bruce Stott expressed an interest in making a LEGO race track.

The club voted on and a motion was passed to lower the LEGO Sumo entry fee to $5 for members and non-members.

The club voted on and a motion was passed to lower ALL entry fees to $5 for members and non-members.

Other issues discussed around the time of the voting included to following:
- Keeping the values of the prizes the same regardless of class entry (RC Ant, RC Beetle, Sumo, LEGO Sumo).
- The higher costs associated with RC combat (Battlebox upkeep, liabilities)
- Costs for renting the Lakeview museum room
- Trophy costs

The lowered entry fee will be announced in the circgroups mailing list.