Eaglebots from Jackson, Missouri, prep their robots for the space-themed field.
Southeast Missouri State University hosted a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics competition with a theme of Into Orbit on Dec. 8 with 14 teams of 4th to 8th graders from across the region participating.
One aspect of the competition is a research project relating to the theme of problems faced by humans during long duration space exploration. The project award is given to the team whose quality research, innovative solutions, community sharing and presentation best reflect an in-depth understanding of the scientific disciplines involved with the project. The winner of the Project Award was:
- Team 9270 – Eaglebots from Jackson, Missouri
Techstroyers from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, guide their robots for the space-themed field missions.
During the event, teams show their robots off to a group of judges. The judges evaluate the mechanical design, innovation, programming effectiveness and team strategies for solving missions to assess the overall design quality. The winner of the Robot Design Award was:
- Team 2064 – Techstroyers from Cape Girardeau, Missouri
The most recognized part of the competition takes place on 8 feet by 8 feet fields. Here, robots wander through the fields completing space-themed missions (such as launching a rocket and driving through a crater). Each completed mission is awarded points. The teams with the highest scores in their division receive the Robot Performance Award. The winner of this award was:
- Team 27863 – Tech Titans from Cape Girardeau
Savage Bots from Jackson, Missouri, set up their robots for the space-themed field missions.
An important tenet of FIRST is gracious professionalism. According to FIRST, this is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others and respects individuals and the community. The Core Values Award is presented to the team that best demonstrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, inspiration, exceptional partnership, and the utmost respect to its own teammates and in its support and encouragement of fellow teams. The Core Values Award winner was:
- Team 27426 – Savage Bots from Jackson
Finally, the Champions Award recognizes the team that embodies the overall FIRST LEGO League experience by fully embracing the competitions Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in both the Robot Game and the Project. To win this award, teams must do well in all of the categories listed above. The Champions Award winner was:
- Team 27863- Tech Titans
Tech Titans from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, complete a space-themed field mission.
Based on the awards above and overall scores within the event, the judges presented two Golden Tickets that allow teams to advance to the Eastern Missouri FLL Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, on Jan. 13. These teams were:
- Team 9270 – Eaglebots
- Team 27863 – Tech Titans
Photos of Southeasts FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Into Orbit robotics competition are available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ftcstlouis/albums/72157702145382161