FIRST LEGO League Robotics Team Executes Perfect Run

FIRST LEGO League is an international robotics competition for students ages 9-14. Each year, a new challenge is released with a research theme and a unique robot challenge board.

The day began with a difficult “official practice run” in which the US robot had several errors and was unable to achieve most of the planned tasks. However, the boys regrouped and had an outstanding presentation session focusing on the dangers of lead contamination in residential water supply pipes. After substantial research, the boys created an “under-the-sink” water filtration prototype. They also spent some time with the judges discussing the construction and programming of their robot.

Feeling relived to have the judge’s sessions over, the team headed into the afternoon events excited, but nervous, about how the robot would perform. Then, during the team’s first of three official robot runs, the US robot completed a flawless pass, scoring the maximum points! All the boys, coaches, and parents let out a huge cheer!

“What I am most proud of is that the boys continued to stay focused, persevered, and displayed excellent sportsmanship,” said Mrs. Amanda Farrell, one of the team’s advisors. “We were so happy for the boys and families when the head judge called the team up to the stage to receive an invitation to the State Championships.”

In 2019 nearly 500 teams registered for FIRST LEGO League in Ohio. The US Builder Birds will be one of only 60 teams competing in Dayton at the State Championship in February for a chance to qualify for the World Championships in Detroit.