The Mile High Academy gym came alive on Feb. 12 for the first annual Adventist Robotics and FIRST Lego League Superpowered Robotics Tournament. Adventist Robotics was founded in 2004 and operates the FIRST robotics tournaments and STEM engagements for Pre-K through 12th grade students across the country.
In the weeks leading up to the Feb. 12 tournament, students were encouraged to design, build and code a LEGO robot with the intent that the robot would navigate through missions and innovative solutions to real-world problems. Teams were given two-and-a-half minutes to complete missions with their robot. There were 15 missions to choose from, and the teams developed their strategy to see which missions would score the most points. Not only was it a challenge to get the robot to complete the mission, but it was a huge opportunity for the teams to showcase their teamwork.
“To get through robotics, you need to learn from your mistakes, use teamwork, and stay positive” said Natalie, HMS Richards student.
The day started at 7:30 am with check-in, coaches’ meetings and time for each team to prepare for the competition. The teams went before a panel of three judges to introduce their robot and present solutions on a problem they were tasked to solve in relation to energy production and storage.
“My favorite part [of the tournament] was presenting the innovation project to the judges,” said Josh, an MHA seventh grader.
Sponsored by the Mid-America Union Conference, Rocky Mountain Conference, and Mile High Academy, four teams from Brighton Adventist Academy, HMS Richards, and Mile High Academy participated, with the hope of winning the Champions Award and an invitation to the Adventist Robotics championship in Orlando, Florida, later this year.
Awards were given in five categories, as follows:
- Core Values Award: MHA Team A
- Innovation Project Award: HMS Richards
- Robot Performance Award: MHA Team A
- Robot Design Award: Brighton
- Champions Award and Invitation to Adventist Robotics Competition: MHA Team B
Even though Brighton didn’t receive the Champions Award, seventh grader Fidel reflected, “I was excited for the event. It was definitely a learning experience for next time and what we will improve upon the second time around. It was a great experience for everyone, and the teams helped each other now and then. We were proud of our accomplishments.”
Mel Wade, director of Adventist Robotics and technology coordinator for the Florida Conference, worked directly with MHA in the months leading up to the tournament and attended the event too. His role at Adventist Robotics is invaluable as he shares his knowledge and oversees robotics tournaments across the United States. He commented on the first MHA-hosted tournament, “I think it was a very successful first tournament. Lots of nerves with the kids but I think having the morning to work out the kinks really helped. I know the presentations were hard as, [for] a lot of them, this was their first time doing a formal public speaking presentation, but they all did great.”
“I was so impressed by the collaboration and spirit of each team,” said Diane Harris, RMC director of education. “The staff and volunteers that came out to support their schools speaks to the beauty of the Rocky Mountain Conference. A special thank you to Mr. Wade and his dedication to making robotics tournaments happen in our Adventist schools.”
Harris went on to say, “We are excited to host the tournament again next year and continue to watch this tournament grow for years to come.”
To view the robotics tournament, visit www.milehighacademy.org/msrobotics. For more information about Adventist Robotics, www.adventistrobotics.net.
