“The Islanders” - Ella Risk Robotics Team
By: Coach - Cheryl Degnan - LMS
My 4th-grade Robotics team has been working hard since September. They had many requirements for the program.
With the FIRST Lego League theme Cargo Connect, they decided that the problem for their research project would focus on lowering prices and delivery time to packages sent to their home countries. Their creative solution involved a “Delivery Island” in the Caribbean Sea that included the use of drones.
Their robot was customized in the color blue like their team shirts, built strong with many different attachments and after lots of coding, successfully completed 7 missions in the 2 ½ minute robot game. Throughout it all, as they worked in smaller groups to get things accomplished, they also had to be sure to work cohesively as a whole team which meant involving everyone and accepting others' ideas.
They received an award at the Robotics qualifiers and moved on to the State Championship on Jan 15. The State Championship was made up of the 16 best teams in the state from grade 4 to grade 8. After the qualifiers on Dec 14, the team had to improve everything. (research project, coding, robot) Lots of work needed to be done as well as new video recordings needed to be submitted in all 4 judging areas by Jan 8! Their hard work paid off! On Jan 15 they were awarded The “Core Values” award in the State Championship! This is the same award they won in the qualifiers for teamwork, spirit, discovery & inclusion. As I said to them “this is the best award to win, it does not speak about your robot or your project but it speaks to you and your character” The best compliment ever.
I could never have asked for any more from them. Even though the obstacles like competing virtually, being on a brand new team, learning everything from the beginning; to the craziness of quarantining/covid, they never quit or slowed down. They knew that I expected their very best, whatever that was. I told them at the beginning it would be tons of work, very rewarding, and never about winning! We had 49 - 2 hour program days after school as well as time during a few school days and vacation. I could not have had a more dedicated group of kids that worked amazingly together. We are all looking forward to inviting their parents in to see their accomplishments! During their ZOOM judge's interview, they were asked what their favorite part of the program was, and they all said “HAVING FUN”!! At that point, I knew I had done my job well.
BRAVO to them:
Jerriel Alamo
Natasha Aparicio
Janiya Baldayac
Azirel Deandrade
Jaelanyz Falu
Jayden Hernandez
Yerolin Mejia
Nathan Sanchez