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Story Subject Category: Science/Nature
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First Lego League by Eleanore Stasheff
When I heard about a team of six middle school girls who designed a robot out of Legos that was going to an international competition in the Netherlands, the first thing I thought was “Wow, I can barely build a house out of legos.” I decided that their story had be told – people had to know about a group of kids from Champaign, Ill., who could make a nationally award-winning robot. It sounded like the kind of fairy-tale story that happens in movies and after-school specials, but that you would never think about happening in your own backyard.
It was a Saturday afternoon in late April when I first met the team, well three of them. I arrived at the unassuming Next Generation Middle School and filmed B-roll footage with Bridget Mueller-Brennan, Elinor and Yasmin Nadir, and the two coaches Joe Muskin and Jim Brennan. As I filmed them working on improving their robot I was stunned to see how smart and creative these girls were. They were not only building a robot in front of me, but they were programming it and making it perform simple tasks. They had problems getting the robot to move correctly and spent most of the two hours I was there adjusting the programming and discussing what the problems were and how they could be fixed. They were children, but talked like college students as they munched on popcorn and sifted through boxes of complex Legos that I don’t think they sold when I was kid.
All around me in this small, three-room school that was next door to a Cardinal Fitness gym were pictures that were drawn by 10- or 12-year-olds that were better than pictures I could draw now. Signs in multiple languages hung on the walls, or sat on desktops. I could feel an aura of creativity and an encouragement of learning that I wished every school had, and I must confess I was rather envious that Next Generation wasn’t around when I was in school. I was incredibly impressed with the knowledge and imagination that the three girls presented as I filmed them, and the encouragement and excitement of the coaches as I talked with them.
I would have liked to interview all of the girls, but time constraints prohibited me from interviewing them on more than one day, so only two of the girls were interviewed. I’m just so impressed with those girls, and with the coaches and the school for having a program like this that encourages learning science and computer skills in a fun and competitive way, and I only hope the Prairie Fire segment about them adequately shows how amazing they are, and how amazing it is that they went so far in their first year.
I want to thank Aramael Pena-Alcantara and the Pena-Alcantara Family for providing all the great pictures and footage from the First Lego League contest in the Netherlands, and Amy Mueller for being a vital communications link with the team, and for sending out the press release that let me know about this remarkable group of girls.
Segment duration: 05:21
Producer: Eleanore Stasheff
This segment is filed in these categories: Hobbies • Science/Nature • Champaign • Champaign County
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Orpheum Science Museum by Elif Basar
In college I read somewhere that the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum was looking for volunteers, and they were holding a volunteer orientation. I had never heard of this place, and I was not even aware that a children’s museum even existed in Champaign. I had done previous volunteer work with children and science, so I thought this would be a fun opportunity. I went to check out this tiny museum, which I had passed by several times in the past, and hardly noticed. I was pleased when I walked inside. Who knew at the time that what looked like an abandoned area of downtown held such a colorful and promising place? The answer is, not many people. Apparently, I was not the only one who was unaware of it.
I volunteered for some of their special events’ weekends, which drew in a modest number of people. I had such a wonderful time explaining different scientific concepts to children, and seeing them engaged and actually interested in what I was saying. Children were really enjoying themselves, not even noticing that they were learning at the same time. I have always felt that places like these are very important for our community to have. Many of the surrounding communities have had established children’s museums for some time, and it is only in the last decade that Champaign has joined them. I wanted more people to be aware of this place, and its importance, so that is can continuously grow and improve as planned. Already this has started, as I observed by the crowd it drew in this January at the event Prairie Fire filmed. Children were all over the place, participating in hands on experiments and demonstrations. Trying to film them in action was a bit of a challenge, since they would run as soon as they noticed the camera. Virginia Steffen still managed to sneak up on them, and get some great shots before they noticed.
We had a wonderful time that Saturday shooting this. I really hope more people take notice of this neat little place, and will help to support it.
Segment duration: 08:13
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Producer: Elif Basar
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Science/Nature • Champaign • Champaign County
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The shoot took two days and was actually a double feature. Douglas County, my home county, offers more than just corn. It also has two agriculture-based amusement parks. The Great Pumpkin Patch and Rockome Gardens are just two miles apart, as the horse pulls.
A fellow producer, Virginia Steffen and I started at Rockome. With movie magic, we hoped to make the gardens look warm, springy and comfortable. In reality, it was cold, windy and miserable weather. Luckily Sasan Shabrou, a Rockome worker and friend, was able to take us around the grounds in a complimentary golf cart. With our transportation problem solved, the equipment moved quickly and so did we.
Day two was colder and possibly windier. Virginia, new recruit Dave Noreen and I worked well into the night, which was actually pleasant. It was just before Halloween and the weather changed for the best, just after the worst part of the shooting schedule.
Despite poor conditions, the Rockome staff was sunny and eager to answer questions. The evening crowd for their treasure hunt was large and in good spirits. The country charm of the gardens warmed everyone. One lucky treasure team left Rockome with $2,500. We left with a delicious meal and two wrapped segments. The second segment will have to wait for another blog and another episode. Stay tuned for part two of our shoot: The Great Pumpkin Patch.
Segment duration: 08:02
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Producer: Shane Pangburn
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • Horticulture • Illinois Culture/History • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Science/Nature
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WILL-TV’s Henry Radcliffe goes on his first mushroom hunting expedition, and brings home the prize for the largest mushroom at the Spores ‘N’ More Mushroom Hunt near Lake Shelbyville.
Segment duration: 06:35
Producer: Henry Radcliffe
This segment is filed in these categories: Food/Restaurants • Science/Nature
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Segment duration: 02:36
Producer: Mike Wilson
Chief Camera - Segment: Julius Bolton
This segment is filed in these categories: Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Science/Nature
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Segment duration: 07:12
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
Chief Camera - Segment: Tim Hartin
This segment is filed in these categories: Hobbies • Science/Nature
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Segment duration: 1:32
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Science/Nature • Havana
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Prairie Fire visits the small observatory southwest of Champaign operated by the dedicated star-watchers of the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society. The 15-foot observatory dome, part of the original University of Illinois observatory, was built on the U of I campus in 1914 and salvaged by the club after it had been moved several times and abandoned. The society opens its observatory to the public once each month to help educate people about the night sky.
Segment duration: 08:09
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Science/Nature • University of Illinois • Champaign • Champaign County • University of Illinois • Urbana
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Prairie Fire tours historic Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. It’s not only the resting place of Abraham Lincoln, but of four governors, poet Vachel Lindsay and early Illinois pioneers. City historian Ed Russo talks about the tombstone architecture in the cemetery.
Segment duration: 07:15
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • Horticulture • Illinois Culture/History • Science/Nature • Springfield
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Prairie Fire visits the Scovill Zoo in Decatur to see what happens to all the animals in the winter. “We were curious about how zookeepers could care for them when it’s so cold and snowy outside,” said Prairie Fire host Alison Davis.
Segment duration: 06:33
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Science/Nature • Decatur
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