School notes: California Robotics Games at Woodside High School School notes: California Robotics Games at Woodside High School (September 29, 2004)

The Woodside/Clarmont High Robotics Team will hosting the California Robotics Games on Saturday, October 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the multi-use room of the Woodside High School gym.

Twenty-four visiting robotics teams -- each having 10 to 75 students, a few parent volunteers and a faculty adviser -- will be congregate on the Woodside campus.

"The California Games foster an atmosphere of cooperation as high school students use their skills in science, technology, mathematics and engineering to get their robots to perform simple activities," said parent volunteer Lori McBride.

Participating students are 14 to 18 years old, and there is no minimum math or science requirement to participate.

The one drawback: robots are expensive. Parents and students must raise their own money.

Last year the Woodside/Carlmont Team was funded by a grant from Oracle Corp. This year the team must raise enough money for the robot kit ($6,000) -- plus $5,000 per competition. Contributions can be made to: Team 100 Woodside/Carlmont Robotics, 199 Churchill Ave. Woodside, CA 94062.

'California Dreaming' theme of fashion show

"California Dreaming" is the theme of the annual Menlo-Atherton High School senior fashion show, set for Saturday, October 23, in the J Building on the M-A campus in Atherton.

Members of the 2005 senior class and faculty guests will participate in shows at noon (with lunch), 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets -- at $45 for the lunch show, and $15 (general) and $8 (student) for other shows -- are available at the M-A High front office and from Judy Hess at 326-4040.

The event is the biggest PTA fundraiser of the year, says event chairperson Nancy Sterling. Funds go to a variety of uses, including peer counseling, scholarships for students in need, and graduation festivities.

Last year, the PTA raised $32,000 from the show.

More than 200 M-A PTA volunteers are involved, says Ms. Hess.

Choreographers are Priscilla, Gary, and Kevin Stanford of PS Performance Studio in Belmont. Gary and Kevin Stanford are M-A grads.

Environmental meet for high school groups

"Envirocon," an all-day conference aimed at strengthening local high school environmental organizations, takes place Saturday, October 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Peninsula School, 920 Peninsula Way in Menlo Park.

Sponsoring the conference is the Schools Group of Acterra, a nonprofit environmental organization, and the city of Palo Alto Department of Open Spaces and Sciences.

The cost is $10 per person, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds, say organizers. For more information, contact Drew Harwell, Acterra Schools Group, at 962-9876, etc. 345; or e-mail Schools@Acterra.org.

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