![]() “This teaches them that school is one thing, but when you go out in the real world you’re going to encounter different situations and different people.” “You’re bringing kids together that normally don’t hang out together,” said Shirley Gauvim, a mentor who works at SouthData. The tournament was sponsored by SouthData, Renfro Corporation, Northern Hospital of Surry County, Intseel,Petroleum Transport Company, North Carolina Farm Industries and the Surry County Economic Development Partnership.Įmployees of the sponsors could volunteer to mentor a team. “I learned about working with the team and not everything is about competition in life.” “I just thought it would be pretty cool to work with robots,” he said, and it was. It was a good first competition for Duplessis. He was right - the “Recycleing Squad,” went home with two trophies. With his team on deck for the “Robot Run” Robbie Duplessis admitted he was nervous. Each team’s scores are combined from three rounds. The robots complete as many of the stations as possible within 2.5 minutes. In the afternoon, a gymnasium full of parents, grandparents and spectators cheered on the teams during the “Robot Run,” where each team’s robot maneuvers through a pre-planned set up, where Legos mimic real life scenarios. “It’s more subjective,” Connolly said of those competitions, and gives teams who may excel in those areas an opportunity for recognition even if their robot doesn’t win the race. Robot design recognized teams that demonstrate programming and strategy, mechanical design and innovation. “Yes you’ve got a good idea, but did you share it with your class, your school, your community?” Edwards asked. The project competition judges teams on research, innovative solutions and presentation. ![]() Jeffrey Edwards, science institute coordinator for Surry County Schools, defined the concept as “the skills of being able to work on a team,” as opposed to more technical skills like programming. Mount Airy Middle School’s “Trash Attackers” won the “Robot Run.”įor the core values competition, students are presented a problem and have five minutes to problem solve and present as a team, which are judged on how well they exemplify inspiration, teamwork and “graceful professionalism,” a term coined by FLL. Sam Gentry Middle School’s “Recycleing Squad” won overall champion and best robot design. Meadowview Magnet’s “Blue Storm” team won the core values trophy and their “Red Barons” team won best project. Six trophies were at stake: core values, project, robot design, “Robot Run,” judges’ choice, and overall champion. Several of the teams competing at the local level have already registered to compete in upcoming regional competitions in Winston-Salem and Boone. Or you may be good at lots of things but can’t work with other people.”įor the students, the appeal is simple: “It’s just fun,” said Shelby Roberts, who competed on Meadowview Magnet Middle School’s “Blue Storm” team. “You might employ someone smart with a great education but who can’t present their ideas. “It’s is an attempt to help the students learn, in a fun and competitive way, the skills they’ll need in the workplace,” said Alice Connolly, steering committee coordinator for Surry First Lego League. This year’s theme, “Trash Trek,” asked students to research problems and design solutions with the way trash is made or handled. Teams approach the challenge through three components: a robot game, a project, and core values. The local event is part of the First Lego League national competition for middle school students during which the STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and math - are emphasized.Ī challenge based on a real-world scientific topic is released nationally each August. Sam Gentry Middle School, Meadowview Magnet Middle School, Forbush Middle School, Starmount Middle School, Pilot Mountain Middle School and Central Middle School competed at Surry Community College. ![]() On Saturday, 17 teams from Mount Airy Middle School, J. “This parent said her son was so involved with this robotics league that he went from a ‘D’ student who hated school to an ‘A’ student who loves it,” said Reinhardt, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Surry County Schools. DOBSON - About halfway through the Fourth Annual First Lego League competition Jill Reinhardt received a text message reminding the school administrator why the program is so valuable.
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