Winners announced from FIRST LEGO League North Dakota State Championship, held at UND
Winner of Championship Award able to advance to upcoming tournaments
The winners from the FIRST LEGO League North Dakota State Championship, held at UND on Saturday, Feb. 10, have been announced, and the winner of the Champion’s Award is now eligible to advance to further competitions.
From the FIRST LEGO League website, the organization “introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together.”
The FIRST LEGO League is broken down into three categories for students aged 4-6, 6-10 and 9-16. Events center around the FIRST Core Values, which distinguishes the league from other programs of its kind. Those values are: Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork and Fun.
The competition was hosted by the UND College of Engineering & Mines.
Winners from the Championship event are:
Champion’s Award
Champion – Digital Artists #12219 (West Fargo)
1st Runner up – 6-Brix # 63900 (Rugby)
2nd Runner up – Super Squirrels #59846 (Casselton)
This award celebrates a team that embodies the FIRST LEGO League Challenge experience by fully embracing the Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in Robot Performance, Robot Design, and the Innovation Project.
Robot Design Awards (judged awards)
1st Place – Lego Busters #7524 (Grand Forks)
2nd Place – Keeping It Reel #55985 (Bemidji, MN)
This team uses outstanding programming principles and solid engineering practices to develop a robot that is mechanically sound, durable, efficient, and highly capable of performing challenge missions.
Innovation Project Awards
1st Place – Perseverance Puppies #53799 (Cando)
2nd Place – Maestro #11971 (West Fargo)
This team utilizes diverse resources for their Innovation Project to help them gain a comprehensive understanding of their problem; has a creative, well researched solution; and effectively communicates their findings to judges and the community.
Core Values Awards
1st Place – Lego Blades #64328 (Williston)
2nd Place – Shiloh Dill Bytes #58898 (Bismarck)
This team displays extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, knows they can accomplish more together than they could as individuals, and shows each other and other teams respect at all times.
Robot Performance Awards (non-judged award)
This award celebrates the team that scores the most points during the Robot Game. Teams have a chance to compete in at least three 2.5-minute matches, and their highest score counts.
1st Place Keeping It Reel #55985 (Bemidji, MN)
2nd Place Digital Artist #12219 (West Fargo)
Coach/Mentor Award
Coaches and mentors inspire their teams to do their best, both as individuals and together. Without them, there would be no FIRST LEGO League Challenge. This award goes to the coach or mentor whose leadership and guidance is clearly evident and best exemplifies the FIRST Core Values.
Coach – Joe Hogberg – Retired this year after more than a couple decades of coaching in the Grand Forks area. (Grand Forks)
Engineering Excellence Award
Team – Sport Friends #11970 (West Fargo)
This award celebrates a team with an efficiently designed robot, an innovative project solution that effectively addresses the season challenge, and Core Values evident in all they do.
Judge’s Award
The judges have chosen to give special recognition to a team for their efforts.
Team – Blown Fuses #40852 (Tioga)
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PHOTOS:
(all photos taken by Wes & Cassie Van Dell)
