42 MARCH 2019 By Megan Forrester The idea of putting together a robot with many working facets and components may sound stressful to some, but for the kids on the robotics team at Christ Lutheran School, it’s an exciting endeavor to explore. This team is a part of the First Lego League, or FLL, whose mission is to build a fully-functioning robot out of Legos. After about a month of constructing, their final product was a robot with a cube shape, including a port in front for different attachments enabling it to do various tasks. Not only must the team build a robot, but they also must complete a research project regarding a particular theme. This year, the theme was to identify a problem with long- term space exploration and to develop a unique solution with either a prototype or a presentation. The Christ Lutheran team explored the dilemma of radiation in space and resolved that problem by using a dosimeter and creating a wrist monitor for astronauts to wear to detect radiation. “Robotics allows young students to develop a passion for several areas of study like problem solving, using areas of STEM, researching, building an authentic product and presenting final results to people, which will help these kids for years to come,” said Coach Lotus Kaplan. “When they go out into the workforce, they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.” Preparation began in October. The team had to finish both the model robot and the research project in order to qualify for competition, which began in the second half of November. Then, if those qualifying teams win an award, they proceed to the FLL Arizona State Tournament at ASU. Christ Lutheran made it to the state tournament and competed against 96 other teams. Which was an immense accomplishment in and of itself, since there is only one fourth grader and two middle school students on the team. “I really had no expectations so I really just enjoyed watching them perform and take ownership in all the areas in which they worked in,” said Kaplan. “I was just taking it all in. They amaze me.” Although the team didn’t place for its robot, it really shined with its approach to the competition. At the end of the competition, Spencer and Carter Wright and Amanda Kelly earned the Gracious Professionalism Award – also known as the Core Value Award – which reflects the team’s ability to work well with others and showcase a positive attitude. The team not only handed out good luck pieces to other teams, made banners and cheered everybody else on, but they also practiced these core values throughout the building process. “I do believe that because our kids are coming from a small Christian school that Gracious Professionalism is the exact award they should have gotten because kindness and working with one another is something we practice at CLS every day,” Kaplan said. According to Spencer and Carter, the atmosphere at the state competition and the ability to talk to students their own age with the same passion of robotics was by far their favorite part. “It was exciting and everybody was happy. Everybody talked to each other and it was really fun in general,” said Carter, a fourth grader. Spencer said that robotics can be really stressful, but if you are interested in STEM and want to continue to develop those skills in an encouraging and friendly environment, then robotics might be exactly what you need. “If you like Legos, programming and learning about research stuff, and if you combine it all together, that’s what you do in robotics,” said Spencer, who is in the seventh grade. “It’s just a really great thing all around.” CLS Robotics Team earns award at First Lego League (from left) Spencer Wright, Amanda Kelly and Carter Wright show off the result of their research project, which involved devising a solution to a problem facing long-term space exploration. PHOTO: LOTUS KAPLAN SUMMER PROGRAMS AT PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL DETAILS & REGISTRATION AT WWW.PCDS.ORG/SUMMER JUNE 10 - JUNE 21 JUNE 24 - JULY 5 JULY 8 - JULY 19 PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 3901 E. STANFORD DRIVE PARADISE VALLEY, AZ 85253 GRADES K-12 ART ACADEMICS TECHNOLOGY THEATRE SPORTS TENNIS COURTS AQUATIC CENTER FULL LUNCH EXTENDED DAY Arcadia News Summ 19 1/4 page ad.indd 1 2/13/19 2:57 PM “Hockey” by Giovanni Zappella • 37.5” x 49.5” x 1.5” • mixed media on canvas Representing students of Arizona universities, community colleges and high schools, as well as other emerging Arizona artists since 1993. 480.946.5076 . artonegalleryinc.com . 4130 n marshall way . scottsdale COME OUT FOR ARTWALK ON THURSDSAY NIGHTS!

43 MARCH 2019 By Anthony Wallace This past November, Art One Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale celebrated its 25th anniversary. For the entirety of its existence, the gallery has shown and sold the work of students and local artists to support its community. Its recent collaboration with New York- based painter Sal Cosenza and the Autism Academy is a perfect illustration of the payoff of its commitment to Arizona’s burgeoning artists. Cosenza first came into contact with Art One 13 years ago, when he was a local high school student. Since these humble beginnings, he has gone on to sell dozens of paintings across the country and become an architectural designer of large-scale buildings in New York City. As he focuses on architecture and becomes more aware of the problems our world faces, Cosenza has begun to see his art as a way to bring positivity into the world. “The news is just bad and getting worse,” Cosenza said. “Whatever your creative outlet is, whatever we hold dear as a way to express ourselves, I think now is the time to get it out there and do some good with it in some way, on any scale.” The gallery has consistently supported his art, so when he felt the urge to do something more philanthropic with his painting, he knew Art One was the place to go. About two years ago, Cosenza reached out to Art One and soon a plan was devised for Cosenza to create a painting that would be donated to the Autism Academy, along with all the proceeds it generates. The Autism Academy provides individually tailored K-12 grade academic programs and allows students to attend the school until they are 21. According to Amy Floyd, the art teacher at the school’s Tempe campus, art is so critical for students with autism because for many it can be their best way of communicating. “A lot of our kids have a hard time communicating with words,” Floyd said. “I have a lot of students who are nonverbal or have trouble looking you in the face.” “When you give them their instructions for their artwork and put it in front of them, it’s amazing to see their hyper-focus and how they get lost in their artwork and communicate what they want to say to us,” Floyd said. “We’ve learned a lot about who they are just by looking at their art. Some of them have some really amazing hidden talents that you would never suspect from them until you put the stuff in front of them.” The school is home to some artistically talented students. In 2014, Autism Academy partnered with Art One and the students’ artwork has proven to be popular with customers. All of the proceeds from students’ work go right back to the school to support the art program. Art One, Sal Cosenza raise funds for Autism Academy The gallery is selling prints of Cosenza’s painting for $30 each and the funds raised from them are going towards the purchase of four new 3D printers for the Academy. The painting depicts three adventuring children sailing a ship with the Autism Academy’s logo and encountering an island and foreign ship that will determine their uncertain fate. The original painting was displayed at the gallery in January and has recently moved to its permanent home at the Autism Academy where Cosenza hopes it inspires students like they inspire him. “I think what Amy is doing with them is opening up their minds. I thought, what are these young kids doing when they create art? They’re setting sail,” Cosenza said. “This is a painting about life in general. It’s the idea of mystery, danger, the daunting task of setting sail and doing something.” For more: artonegalleryinc.com. Sal Cosenza’s 6 foot wide painting entitled “Out of the Darkness, Into the Light.” the local EATDOUGHBIRD follow us at Learn more at EatDoughbird.com Recipe FRESH STRAWBERRIES 1 OZ LEMON JUICE 1 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP 2 OZ OHSO GRAPEFRUIT VODKA Instructions Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and top with ice. Shake vigorously to muddle strawberries, strain ingredients into a cocktail glass over new ice. Garnish cocktail with a strawberry slice and drink up! Provided by Doughbird Pizza & Rotisserie Learn how to make RKDA’s favorite cocktail