EPHRATA — Columbia Ridge Elementary School’s Lego Robotics team, Ridge Robotics, earned the Engineering Excellence award at this year’s state competition, held in Spokane.  

The fourth graders, under the leadership of coaches Julie Kessel and Alicia Keegan, demonstrated not only technical prowess, according to coaches, but also teamwork and sportsmanship that stood out among numerous competing teams. 

The team of ten enthusiastic students competed against many seasoned participants, including eighth graders, showcasing their skills in coding, presentation and problem-solving.  

"I had a good time at state, and we did really good because we got a trophy for engineering excellence," said student Emma Criss.  

Her teammate, Braelynn Lutz, echoed this sentiment, saying her favorite part of the event was “getting to see all the teams.” 

The journey to the competition was not without its challenges. The robotics team faced issues with their initial robot, affectionately named Bubby, which “started going to the left,” according to Criss and Lutz.  

This malfunction prompted students to switch to their previous robot. “We had to bring our old robot back,” said Lutz. “We figured it out, though.”  

Both students expressed a keen interest in the coding aspect of their projects.  

“I like seeing how the robot makes turns and how it works with the attachments,” Criss said.  

This enthusiasm for innovation was evident, according to coaches. The team built a unique sensor that enabled their robot to differentiate between water and electrolytes based on color, an idea both students said they were very proud of.  

The team’s success was also attributed to their collaborative spirit, which Kessel praised.  

“This team has worked together unlike any other team I’ve coached. They bounce ideas off of each other and don’t argue about ideas,” she said.  

Kessell said the positive team dynamic not only propelled them to success but also fostered friendships among the students.  

“I got to make new friends,” Lutz said.  

The coaches said the values instilled in the students extended beyond mere competition.  

“I think that just kids having the opportunity to positively work with each other is outstanding,” Keegan said.  

The students learned to handle real-time challenges on their own, presenting their projects and robot functions to judges without the coaches’ support. This independence and confidence, Kessel said, are skills that will benefit them beyond the realm of robotics. 

The importance of core values – discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork and fun – were strongly emphasized throughout the season, Keegan said.  

“They were really polite to all the teams and just showed their tiger stripes there,” Criss said.  

The positive attitude was evident during the competition, Keegan said. She said her team encouraged students from other teams and even comforted a couple of students who were struggling with the competitive atmosphere.

“The kids did a good job of going around and interacting with the other teams. They were making friends and asking good questions about the other teams’ projects,” she said.  

The team’s dedication and sportsmanship were further demonstrated during their time at the state competition, where they displayed kindness and encouragement towards other participants. Kessel shared an anecdote about two students who took it upon themselves to sweep the competition area, at a qualifying event in Wapato.  

“Nobody asked them to; they saw a problem and decided to fix it,” Kessel said.  

As the competition season draws to a close, the coaches and students remain hopeful for future opportunities. The possibility of competing on an international level is being contemplated, pending the outcomes of upcoming regional competitions. She said the team will be placed in a “lottery” and if chosen, they will be given the opportunity to compete again. 

“We have a very good chance of possibly being selected for an international competition," Keegan said. “It shows that Columbia Ridge is meeting that goal of pushing our students to success.” 

Both Kessel and Keegan reiterated their pride in the students’ achievements.  

“I’m incredibly proud of you,” said Kessel, addressing the team. “It was the best season yet.”  

    Columbia Ridge Elementary School’s Lego Robotics team competed at state, winning the Engineering Excellence award. This qualifies the team for the “lottery,” and if chosen, the students could compete at the international level.
  

    Columbia Ridge Elementary School’s Lego Robotics team, Ridge Robotics didn’t have a season without challenges, with their original robot veering to the left. However, students were able to pivot and still win an award at state competition.
  

    Ridge Robotics performed a song as their presentation at the state competition. The team worked with coaches to turn their information into a song. The team also sang cheers to one another while competing.