Fenton Lego Robotics Team Creates Taste Fresh Test Strip

Something big is happening with the White Wolves Lego Robotics Team.

They’re competing in the first Lego League 2011 Challenge with an invention of their very own and they need your vote.

The team, based out of Fenton, is comprised of nine students in fourth through eighth grade. The team competed locally and placed eighth overall statewide.

Now entering this national competition, they must also create a project based on the theme for the year, food safety.

“The team must discover a problem in food safety, and they must create a way to solve the problem,” said Kim Weber, White Wolves coach.

When researching their idea, the kids discovered there are no expiration dates on the meats purchased from the deli department in the grocery store. 

“They surveyed people about how long they keep their meats, and were surprised to hear some of their answers," Weber said.

They also spoke with local restaurant delis for their input. 

After discovering spoiled meats emit methane gas, they determined a way in which to detect it. Members of the United States Department of Agriculture, University of Michigan, and Michigan State University’s food safety divisions looked at their test strip idea. MSU referred them to a chemical testing facility to test the strips for them. Not only did they work, but there currently is no patent for them.

The team could use the help of the community to vote for this project in the First Lego League worldwide competition The team with the most votes wins a sum of money that can be used to patent the product.

To help the team, go to: http://fllinnovationaward.firstlegoleague.org/taste-fresh-test-strips

*Information obtained from New Moon Visions.