Local robotics team places first
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 7 years, 3 months AGO
Courtesy photo Christian Center School’s Robotics Team poses for a photo at the FIRST LEGO League Tournament with one of the referees. Pictured, back row from left: referee, Teresa Sacksteder, Laszlo Antal. Middle row; Annika Baltzell, Ethan Antal, Tyler Hamblin, Jackson Staples, Heather Antal. Front: Aiden Antal.
Winning team members celebrate taking first place in the Robot Game category. Pictured are: Annika Baltzell, Ethan Antal, Tyler Hamblin, Jackson Staples. (Courtesy photo)
Christian Center School’s Robotics Team participated last weekend, for the first time, in a FIRST LEGO League Tournament. The CCS team took first place in the Robot Game portion of the competition held in Bonners Ferry, earning the team the Robot Performance Trophy.
“We had an amazing and exciting experience,” said Ethan Antal, a seventh-grader at Christian Center School on Prairie Avenue in Hayden.
FIRST LEGO League provides an opportunity for tomorrow’s innovators to practice imaginative thinking and teamwork. Guided by two or more adult coaches, FIRST LEGO League teams, with up to 10 members from fourth through eighth grade, research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build and program a robot using LEGO Mindstorms, then compete on a table-top playing field.
While having fun, the young competitors learn to apply science, technology, engineering and math concepts, plus a big dose of imagination, to solve a problem. Along their journey, they develop critical thinking and team-building skills, basic STEM applications, and even presentation skills, as they must present their solutions with a dash of creativity to judges. They also practice the program’s core values, which emphasize discovery, teamwork and good sportsmanship.
“It was challenging, but we are so grateful we had this opportunity to participate in FIRST LEGO League, and we had so much fun,” said Annika Baltzell, team member.
The CCS team, led by Laszlo and Heather Antal and Teresa Sacksteder, shared its idea for converting gray water into potable water that could be used on gardens and plants. Their performance earned them a place at the state tournament, which will be held in Moscow on Jan. 20.
“These are extraordinary students that exhibited great work ethics and teamwork. It has been a pleasure to watch them grow and learn from this experience,” said Mrs. Sacksteder of CCS.
The school’s robotics team will share its innovations on Jan. 17 at the school, 3639 W. Prairie Ave., Hayden. Team members will present their award-winning Robot Game and younger members of the CCS Robotics Club will perform a Maze Ru with their robots. Concessions will be offered to help raise funds for the robotics team’s trip to the state tournament. For the time of the event, or more information, call 208-772-7542.
