🤖🌊North Windy Ridge Intermediate School students have immersed themselves in robotics and programming knowledge as they prepare for a state robotics competition this weekend.
Two teams from the school, the WindyBotz and the HawkBotz, excelled at the regional FIRST LEGO League Challenge and will compete in a virtual state tournament on Saturday. Despite setbacks from Hurricane Helene, they have worked tirelessly to create innovative designs for this year’s “Submerged” theme. Both teams designed robots and structures aimed at improving resiliency for coastal communities and ocean life.
“It’s really fun,” said Luke, a sixth grader on the WindyBotz team. “You get to meet new people and program things with them and present your ideas. You can use your imagination to come up with cool ideas.”
The competition requires each team to design a robot that can complete a series of tasks, like picking up an object and moving it from one part of a challenge board to another. They have to iterate through different designs and programming commands until they figure out a design and programming sequence that works. The kids also built LEGO structures that illustrate their ideas for solutions to a big problem. In this case, the WindyBotz created a coastal barrier that protects against surging seas while also filtering out debris to prevent any water that does get over the wall from polluting the ocean. The HawkBotz imagined a dome that could be placed over a reef to protect it and allow scientists to study the difference between the experimental area and an unprotected reef.
“If you want to be an engineer when you grow up, this is good to get you started,” said T.C., another sixth grade student. “It’s fun and helps you learn, and it could help you later in life.”
STEM teacher Russell Thompson thanked local Thermo Fisher Scientific employees for helping the students develop their ideas and for acting as practice judges. He said the students gain competition points not just from successfully navigating the robotics course and creating a solid project, but also by working together as a team and demonstrating sportsmanship.
“They’re having fun while being inclusive and making sure that everyone shares the effort,” he said. “And they’re learning resilience. It’s something we all need regardless of what we’re doing. Especially after Helene, these kids are really focused on ideas that can protect people from the elements whether they’re on the coast or inland.”