Ready for liftoff: West Seattle boys in the ‘MoonBots’ finals

Big weekend at the Museum of Flight, and not just because of the Space Shuttle Trainer grand opening today. We just heard from Beverly Harding Buehler, who shares the video above, and this news:

My son, Asa Buehler, and his friend Kyle Jensen, two 9-year-old West Seattle kids, have been working for the past six months on an international robotics competition called “MoonBots.” The competition is about future robotic missions to the moon. The boys submitted a proposal, including the video (above), to MoonBots in June. About 300 teams submitted proposals from all around the world. Thirty teams made the first cut, including Kyle and Asa’s team, The Penguin Men.

The boys received a Lego Mindstorms robotic kit from which they have designed a robot that can carry out several missions on a lunar landscape that they also designed and built (with a little parental help). Matt Jensen, Kyle’s dad, has been an amazing teacher and coach for the boys. The Penguin Men will be doing a public presentation of their MoonBot at the Museum of Flight (tomorrow), Sunday, November 11, at 2 pm. The presentation will also be webcast live at the following website:

ustream.tv/channel/the-penguin-men

If you have a chance, tune in or come by to cheer Asa and Kyle on.

We just watched Asa and Kyle’s video – take four minutes and check it out! It’s history, humor, and more. They also have been updating a blog-format website about their project; tomorrow’s presentation is part of the judging. Congratulations to them and good luck in the next round of MoonBots!

Leticia November 10, 2012 (4:10 pm)

Wow that was great! thank you

chas redmond November 10, 2012 (5:56 pm)

Good luck guys – awesome video.

Dano November 10, 2012 (6:48 pm)

These are BOTH great kids, with really supportive, caring parents…. I’m really proud of both Asa and Kyle….. They are powerful thinkers with big imaginations, creative energy, and adventurous hearts…… I’m proud of you both!

SudsyMaggie November 10, 2012 (9:10 pm)

That was awesome! Great job, guys!

AIDM November 11, 2012 (8:20 am)

Awesome job. I’m curious if we need to pay admission to the museum in order to watch the presentation today?

Matt November 11, 2012 (10:48 am)

AIDM – Yes, Museum admission required. The team will be in the new Space Gallery. Webcast actually starts at 2:30pm, then visitors/kids can drive the robot with a joystick!

Susan November 11, 2012 (3:21 pm)

Hey guys, your creativity, dynamism, and humor will take you far. Keep up the great work! Loved the video. Hope to see more about other projects you get into.