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Show DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE August 2010 A5 Engineering event hopes to encourage future innovators Danielle Hardy STAFF WRITER The engineering department is seeking to discover new ways to repair bodily injuries with robotics, possibly through the use of Legos. Future engineers and scientists are encouraged to register for the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, or FIRST, LEGO League that is to be held Jan. 29, 2011. "The nation's economy, quality of life, and position in the world are tightly connected to its innovation, technological expertise and productivity," said Richard Brown, dean of the College of Engineering. About 200,000 students in more than so countries currently participate in the event. The program encourages students to combine what they have learned in the classroom with the latest technologies to solve the yearly challenge. "All of these depend on engineering and computer science," Brown said. The theme for this year's event is "Body Forward," which will encourage students to lead healthier, happier lives. Teams consist of three to 10 students, ages 9 to 14, as well as an adult coach. "Through outreach events like these, we introduce young people to the grand challenges this generation faces," he said. The participants will have to design, build and program Lego-based robots that will have to complete a task. The specific challenge for the robots will be revealed in September, and the students will begin researching and designing their robots afterward. "The goal is to help create a culture of innovation in Utah," said Kathy Hajeb, organizer of the Utah FIRST LEGO League. "It's never too early to learn the process of innovation and creative problem-solving, and the University of Utah wants to encourage that." Aside from the upcoming Lego event, the college also hosts Elementary Engineering Week, Girl Scout Engineering and after-school engineering clubs for youth. "The event will be so much fun that kids won't even realize how much they're learning," Hajeb said. To get involved or find out more information about the FIRST LEGO League, visit www.utfll.utah.edu or contact Kathy Hajeb at utfll@utah. edu . Registration for the event is limited, so teams need to act quickly if they're interested in joining. d.hardy@ chronicle.utah.edu To get involved, or to find out more information about the LEGO League, visit www.utfll.utah.edu or contact Kathy Hajeb at utfll@ utah.edu . Registration for the event is limited, so teams need to act quickly if they're interested. MORGAN MCELROY/The Daily Utah Chronicle Construction on the new Psychiatric unit began July, 7, wich is expanding because of overcrowding. Psychiatric unit to be expanded Andreas Rivera STAFF WRITER On July 7, construction broke ground for the new Utah Neuropsychiatry Institute. The new building will add some muchneeded room to the UNI's constantly full facilities, administrators said. "Expansion has been in the works for several years," said Mary Talboys, an associate administrator for UNI. "Currently, the building houses 90 beds, most of which are doubled up in rooms so many patients must have roommates." "The expansion will add 8o rooms with single beds, giving patients privacy, which is important for people who need psychiatric help," said Anne Asman, development officer for the department of psychiatry. "For years, the hospital has had to deal with a waiting list for patients to get in, something that is detrimental to patients in need," Talboys said. "Usually when someone seeks psychiatric help, they are in a crisis and can't always wait." Asman said the average number of people waiting is usually five to io, and can wait from a few days to a few weeks. Along with the additional space for the hospital, the department of psychiatry will be relocated in the new building. "Despite the move, the building will be more of a hospital than a school, and both UNI and the department will benefit from being there," Asman said. The advantage comes from having psychiatric residents nearby, able to collaborate with doctors and obtain clinical experience. A new MRI machine will be moved in for research purposes. "Rated among 200 other likefacilities, UNI has received a 93 percent satisfaction rating," Talboys said. In order to keep that rating, UNI will fill the new beds in small increments as it finds more staff and doctors to maintain them. "When the new facility is completed, a bridge will be built between the new and old buildings, bringing doctors closer to their patients and create a more centralized institute," Asman said. a.rivera@chronicle.utah.edu Now accepting Applicants for Internships at the Utah State Legislature S2400 STIPEND Fall enrollment needed Internship - Spring Semester 2010 Recieve up to 12 hours of Poli-Sci 4900 Credit Students are required to take a legislative intern prep course (Poli-Sci 3900 - half semester class) the semester before interning 00 • - t._ '""'LWMP-P1104 Contact Lindsay Zizumbo Program Manager Hinckley Institute of Politics OSH 253, 801.581.8501 lindsay.zizumbo@hinckley.utah.edu |