LEGO Robotics Teams Score

LEGO Robotics Report by RayAnne DeSoto (REACH Coordinator)

The two LEGO Robotics teams comprised of students from Helen Thompson and Gardiner Regional Middle School, sponsored by the REACH program, competed December 8th, 2007 at Maine Maritine Academy. The competition field was comprised of 17 teams, many who were veterans to the competition, a few like ourselves were "rookies" or this being their first year competing.

The theme this year was "Energy Source" and the students had to design, build, and program LEGO robots to try and complete 15 different energy missions in a 2 1/2 minute time limit. Each team had three rounds to better their score, with a very short time in between rounds to make any adjustments to their robot or programs as needed. Once a "match" begins during a round, there is no stopping the countdown on the clock. Only two students from each team are allowed at the competion table at any one time.

Of the 17 teams, I am excited to announce that Brain Stormer's Team Omega made it to the quarterfinal round and placed Fourth overall and Brain Stormer's Team Alpha placed 9th overall! For both teams to place in the top ten for their "rookie" year is amazing!

The students faced many challenges under pressure, including having a robot not work when then "design judges" came to score the team's design, speaking to the judges concerning their programming and design choices, showing great sportsmanship and teamwork at all times during the day. There were "floating judges" (not identified by volunteer T-shirts) who inconspicuously would "listen in" on a team's communication and sportsmanship and score the team accordingly. Both teams were calm, cool, and collected and handled the pressure of the competiion far better then most adults who were watching.

This January the teams will turn their attention to the "Track Meet" robotic competition in May which will focus on speed, distance, pulling mass, and steep inclines.

Finally, a future goal for the REACH program is to have at least one team in every school for the 2008-2009 year.