Robotics students bring technology to Capitol

Topeka — Student robotics clubs from around the state displayed their creations Thursday at the Statehouse as part of the 14th Education Technology Fair.

Students showed projects on digital broadcasting, soil and water testing, and using personal laptop computers in daily learning.

Among those checking out the displays was Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

“What would be incredible is if the kinds of experiments going on here and the kinds of equipment you see here were available to all kids. There’s a palpable sense of excitement,” Sebelius said.

Above, Sebelius, right, talks to fifth-graders Toni Roux, left, and Sara Beck and their teacher, Dorothy Perry, from Kellogg Science and Technology Magnet School in Wichita.

Education

Bishop Seabury boasts National Merit finalist

A senior at Bishop Seabury Academy has been named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition, school officials said Thursday.

Sean Hill is among 15,000 students in the United States advancing to the final round, from which 8,000 National Merit Scholars will be selected.

Bishop Seabury is a private Episcopal school east of Lawrence with about 100 students.

National Merit finalists were chosen based upon academic achievement as demonstrated by scores on the PSAT, grade-point average in a rigorous curriculum and recommendations by school officials.

Hill has been at Bishop Seabury since seventh grade. He is a prefect, one of six students who assist faculty and serve as role models for students.

He plans to study philosophy in college and has applied to seven universities, including Kansas University.

Events

KU group plans Darwin birthday celebration

A group of Kansas University students will celebrate Charles Darwin’s 194th birthday Wednesday.

The Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics will have the celebration at 7 p.m. in Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union.

Leonard Krishtalka, director of the KU Natural History Museum, will speak on the influence of Darwin’s theories on knowledge and education in the past century.

Crime

Police investigating suspected rape

Lawrence Police are investigating the possible rape of a Haskell Indian Nations University student.

Police said that the rape was reported about 6:30 a.m. Thursday and that the woman was at Lawrence Memorial Hospital Thursday evening.

The woman had been drinking and did not remember all of the night’s events — including where the assault occurred — but believed she had been raped by an acquaintance, police said.