Teams from North Idaho STEM Charter Academy and a team from Post Falls placed in several categories at the FIRST Idaho "Superpowered" LEGO League North Idaho Championship, held Feb. 11 at River City Middle School.

North Idaho STEM Charter's winning teams and contests:

• Champions runners up – Glitchy Gooses

• Robot performance first place — Sparky Sharkiez

• Robot design second place – Little Einsteins

• Innovation project first place – Mini Moons

• Innovation project second place – Spark Plugs

• Core values first place – Lunas Pequenas

• Core values second place – Five Toaster Strudels

• Breakthrough – Sparky Sharkiez

• Motivate second place – Rocket Rabbits

• Student choice – Spark Plugs

The Lego Warriors team from Post Falls placed as well, earning the Rising All Star First Place award.

Eighteen student robotics teams in fourth-through-eighth grades from North and North Central Idaho competed in the event after qualifying in previous competitions.

Participants gained real-world problem-solving experience during the event. This season, teams were tasked with reimagining the future of sustainable energy and power as outlined in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal no. 7, which is focused on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

This month is STEM Matters Month, as proclaimed by Gov. Brad Little.

STEM knowledge and skills are important to the future of Idaho and STEM workers are in high demand here, Idaho STEM Action Center Executive Director Caty Solace said.

"STEM learning helps students develop creative thinking, problem solving, innovation and collaboration skills," she said. "These durable skills are extremely sought after by Idaho employers that want to solve problems in our communities and beyond."

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) jobs in Idaho are projected to grow 15.4% by 2030, Solace said, outpacing the national average of STEM job growth at 10%. She said 90% of jobs will require digital literacy within a decade. STEM jobs are interesting and rewarding, Solace said, and include careers in health care, engineering, software development, finance, agriculture and construction.

"STEM jobs pay nearly twice as much as non-STEM jobs," Solace said. "Gov. Little's plan to help bolster these coveted careers with the proposed $8,500 workforce training grants up for consideration by the state legislature will make a huge difference when enacted."