In an era of automation with robotics, students at Knox County Middle School are showing others how the human element, combined with a passion for animals, can change robotics.
The team competed in the statewide Lego Robotics competition held at Northern Kentucky University on February 4. At the competition the team won medals for teamwork and core values, showing that academic and employability skills combine in the field of engineering.
The team, named “Master Minds”, had previously won the Robot Game Award, the Style Award, and received first (1st) place overall honors at the regional competition held earlier this year in Hazard.
“Although they didn’t bring home top honors, I was proud of their achievements”, said Travis Mills, coach for the team.
“There were 48 teams were there, it was very competitive,” stated Mills.
At the state competition students were challenged with the problem “Animal Allies”. Students were asked to build a robot and solve a real-world problem that relates to our furry, feathered, and finned friends. In addition to building a robot that would transport the animal, students were required to research the animal that they selected and help develop a solution that would protect it against humans. Also part of the competition was a team interview and a spontaneous problem that the teams learned about the day of the event.
The core values of the Lego Robotics are:
- We are a team.
- We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors.
- We know our coaches and mentors don’t have all the answers; we learn together.
- We honor the spirit of friendly competition.
- What we discover is more important than what we win.
- We share our experiences with others.
- We display Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® in everything we do.
- We have FUN!
The Lego Robotics League is an alliance between FIRST Robotics and the LEGO Group. For more information about Knox County’s participation in Lego Robotics contact Jennifer Carey at jennifer.carey@knox.kyschools.us or Travis Mills at travis.mills@knox.kyschools.us.
Previous news release: Knox roars past the competition in regional robotics http://knoxkyschools.com/2016/news/knox-roars-past-the-competition-in-regional-robotics/