Members of the Shooting Stars team competing earlier this month were, from left to right, Kip Kruggel, Luke Gudmundson, Dominik Fortin, Elnur Yemar and Hunter DeLarosby. Not pictured is Alex Gouchenaur.
The Shooting Stars Robotics team was among the top finishers in the First Lego League Challenge held in mid-February.
The Feb. 16 event at Burnsville High School focused on science, technology, engineering and math, all part of STEM core initiatives. The competition tested students ages 9 to 14 in the areas of teamwork, robotics skills and innovation. Participants were required to design, build and program LEGO robots to complete defined missions. Members were also required to research real-world problems and present solutions on which they were judged. The competition emphasized the team values of inclusion and discovery while encouraging creativity and problem-solving. The challenge was sponsored by High Tech Kids, a nonprofit organization that sponsors programs to encourage future innovators.
Team members are Hidden Oaks Middle School students Dominik Fortin, Alex Gouchenaur, Luke Gudmundson and Hunter DeLarosby; Kip Kruggel from Redtail Ridge Elementary; and Elnur Yemar from Eagle Ridge Academy. This year’s challenge was for teams to produce a fully-functioning ultra-sonic communications tool for divers. The team is coached by Kim Fortin, who said the students usually spend six to eight hours each week working on a robotics project.
The activity season began with 459 teams, and the top 60 advanced to state competition on Feb. 16. The Shooting Stars received the Judge’s Award, which recognized strong performance across all areas of competition, and was one of eight Minnesota teams that will advance to nationals. Eighty teams from throughout the world will compete for top honors in Long Beach, Calif., in May.