Kendall’s FIRST® LEGO® League team, the Lost Lightning Eagles, brought home the Innovative Solution Award from the Finger Lakes Championship event held on December 8 at the University of Rochester. This award recognizes a team’s solution that is exceptionally well-considered and creative, with good potential to solve the problem researched. The team created the www.kendallreads.com website to help encourage literacy in Kendall.
Members of the team are: Alek King, Carter Alt, Cody Johnstone, Caleb Schneider, Caleb Schumacher, Robert Henry, Alek Odalovic, Dominic Dellaquila, Seth Pray and Madison Hults.
This award came at the end of a challenging day of competition for the team. They endured multiple setbacks with their robot throughout the day, including a failing gyro sensor during their presentation and first match, and a broken motor during their second match. However, the team showed tremendous grit and a growth mindset as they found solutions to each problem. They replaced sensors and motors, rebuilt the robot twice, and tweaked the code to compensate for the changes, resulting in a score of 245 points (up from 185 points in their last tournament).
When asked during judging for one word to describe the team, they answered: determined. The team was determined to improve their robot and strategy this season; determined to maintain a positive attitude in the face of setbacks; and determined to make a difference in their community.
“I am extremely humbled by their determination, and I know that these kids will go on to do amazing things,” said Coach Jackie Nielsen.
Provided information and photos
