Regional robotics contest a big success

Published on December 17th, 2009

By LARRY WEST

Twenty-one student teams from the Lower Kuskokwim School District and many volunteers and spectators participated in the annual First Lego League Southwest Alaska regional robotics competition at the new Gladys Jung Elementary School in Bethel.

This year's "Smart Move" theme challenged teams to use the latest Lego technology and materials to demonstrate ways of accessing people, places, goods and services in the safest, most efficient way possible. Teams were judged in four categories-Robot Design, Robot Performance, Project Presentation, and Teamwork-with awards to the top two teams in each category and an overall winner with the best combined results.

The Newtok Yungaqs won the overall Champion's Award and the Akiuk RoboGrizzlies took second place overall. Both teams will now represent the Lower Kuskokwim School District at the Anchorage Robot Rendezvous state championship tournament at Dimond High School in Anchorage on Jan. 16.

Winning teams for the four adjudicated categories were the Gladys Jung Tundra Techs for robot design, the Bethel Regional High School Crash Test Warriors for both project presentation and robot performance, and the Gladys Jung Lego Crane Mushers for teamwork. Full results and photos can be found at JEDC.org.

Awards were also given for other achievements. The LKSD Rookie Team of the Year was the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Kidbots; Vicki Nechodomu of the Akiuk RoboGrizzlies received the LKSD Robotics Coach of the Year Award; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the Robotics Business Partner Award; the High School Spirit of Innovation Award went to Kipnuk Aangayucauraat Qipnermi; and the Elementary School Spirit of Innovation Award was shared by the Akiuk RoboGrizzlies and the Newtok Yungaqs.

Marc Leinberger, LKSD career and tech education specialist, coordinated this year's event locally, with assistance from Rebecca Parks of the Juneau Economic Development Council's STEM Program, who oversees all FLL activities in Alaska.

Leinberger thanked Gerry Kimsey and the staff of Gladys Jung Elementary School for hosting the event, as well as the judges who shared their time, knowledge and enthusiasm for the competition.

"We would not be able to have this competition without them," he said, "and each team appreciates their feedback." Leinberger also thanked the BRHS ROTC and the BRHS cross-country team for providing meals for all the teams.

Parks also noted the extraordinary contributions of head referee David Patterson.

"Dave has been spreading First around Alaska for the past 10 years, entirely as a volunteer," said Parks. Patterson also refereed this year's Juneau Robot Jamboree, the Southeast Alaska regional competition, in November.

FLL events are funded in Alaska by the U.S. Department of Defense through JEDC's STEM Program, by BP and other partners, and by individual contributors.

President Obama's new "Educate to Innovate" campaign puts a brighter spotlight on the importance of First Lego League and other activities offered through JEDC's SpringBoard program that focus on education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

"In our increasingly competitive global economy, young people must have a deep understanding of technology, not only to consider a career in science or math, but to function effectively in a society that is more and more dependent on technology," JEDC director Brian Holst said.

For complete details of all FLL events and teams in Alaska, visit JEDC.org. SpringBoard is still seeking volunteers and sponsors for the Anchorage Robot Rendezvous. Please contact Becca Parks at rparks@jedc.org or 907-523-2334 for more information. For more information about the Juneau Economic Development Council or its SpringBoard and STEM programs, contact Larry West at 907-523-2328, lwest@jedc.org.