Cluster Ten Students brainstorming for the COSMOlympics

 The project was explained by Philosophy Professor Reuven Brandt, who also informed the students of different moral dilemmas, principles philosophers must consider, and two types of moral beliefs: utilitarianism and deontology. The students were also enlightened on the emphasis of ethics in science, and were later randomly put into groups (which were chosen via wheel spins) to begin brainstorming their projects: a five-minute video presenting a moral dilemma dealing with robots, that provides an answer backed by research. Each group thought of their own moral dilemma, some dealing with robots in factories, medical facilities, or even in the military. Later on in the afternoon, the students went into the lab and got back to work on their balloon-popping robots. 

Today, many students succeeded in getting their motors to work or even pairing up their gamepad to the motor directions, allowing them to remotely control their robot's movements. Getting the notice to clean up, the students tidied their desks and powered off their pi's, as they exited the lab and returned to their dorms. Shortly after, however, the students ventured outside for more COSMOlympics practice. Prepared with a steady storyline and directing from their cluster RA Madelyn, cluster ten's robot inventors were able to run through their skit. The skit follows cluster ten's head robot, and his army of robot inventions that attack the other COSMOS clusters once provoked. Fighting through bricks, beakers of green, powerful guitar playing, and a brief hacking stint, cluster ten's head robot prevails, showing their greatness! As the hour of planning came to an end, clusters began being sent up to the dining hall for dinner. In order to be sent up, however, they had to correctly answer a question from an RA. Thanks to a student's quick answer, cluster ten was sent to dinner in no time. All students then ended their day after dinner, nightly programs, and suite time, showering up, before snuggling into bed.

Some students' ethics project progress

After lunch, the students hurried back to the engineering building. Dashing to their desks and opening their laptops, the next fifteen-or-so minutes were filled with safe sprints to and from the tool table, crowds congregating around the glue guns, and last-minute robot beautification. As balloons were passed out by faculty, the students readily fastened their balloons to their bots, before placing their bots in the styrofoam arena, set up by their faculty. Prior to starting the competition, their teacher fellow discussed some rules and objectives of the rounds. Soon, motors began moving, and calls of laughter, noises of astonishment, and the bursting of balloons resonated through the room. Once the competition finished, the students began disassembling their robots, stripping their chasisses of hot glue, tape, and legos. Announced were the winners of the competition: Clarisse and Brendan for most kills, and James and Jenny for best design. Students made their goodbyes to their partner, and moved to their next. With class winding down and the clock striking four, the students left the lab for the last time that week. 

Once they returned to the green, they discussed their game plan for the COSMOlympics: clothing, props, last-minute acting choices, and began to rehearse. In a flurry blurry blizzard of glow-sticks, tinfoil, and inflatable guitars, the students made their way to the stairs, waiting in the crowd as they watched the other clusters’ wonderful skits. Before long, Cluster Ten made their way to the stage, and performed their skit, causing bouts of laughter from the crowd. Following dinner, the RAs began setting up for the games. Despite not coming first in the games played that night, the Cluster Ten students cheered endlessly for their peers that competed. And although the students did not win the COSMOlympics, they all enjoyed the experience. As the night came to a close, the pupils walked to their dorms, readied themselves for bed, and made their way to a lovely weekend.