Local Teams Qualify for Regional FIRST LEGO Tournament

After competing Nov. 5 at Eagle Ridge Elementary school in Broadlands, the following teams qualified for the FIRST LEGO League Regional Championship Tournament for the Virginia/DC region, which will be held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg Dec. 3-4, 2011:

Division 1 Qualifiers

• Team Dynamite
• NxtGen Robo
• Alternate: ORNJS

Division 2 Qualifiers

• Brainy Bunch
• Nysmith Xtraterrestrials
• Alternate: The MicroChips

[Editor's note: Please submit your own photos here of your teams. The link it below. I arrived too late to get an pictures of the actual competition.]

In addition, the following awards were given to teams and individuals during the local qualifier.

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD
The phenomenal success of the FIRST LEGO League program is a reflection of the commitment and enthusiasm our volunteers display. This annual award gives FIRST LEGO League the opportunity to honor the dedication of one or more volunteers whose assistance and devotion has helped to change the lives of children for the future.

• Volunteer Award Abhi Chada

ROBOT DESIGN AWARD
For the Robot Design category, judges look for teams whose work stands out for innovation, mechanical design, programming, understanding of the design process, and overall qualify. The judges watch the robots work and look for things that make them say “Wow!” They interview team members to reveal their less obvious unique and inventive ideas; to assess mechanical deign, understanding of the design process and overall quality the judges consider what solid principles and best practices were used to reduce variability and errors, with preference to robots that are best able to “back it up” throughout the matches. The judges also review the teams programming strategies, efficiency and effectiveness. This award goes to the team with the strongest Robot Design.

Division 1

• Robot Design Award, 1st Place ORNJS

Division 2

• Robot Design Award, 1st Place Fishy Phantom

PROJECT PRESENTATION AWARD
The purpose of the FLL project presentation is to show that individuals can make a difference by researching a problem, then contributing ideas and solutions to real-world issues. Your conclusions and solutions are the result of working hard to truly understand the magnitude of a problem through research and hands-on learning experiences. During your project planning, you used your teamwork abilities and talents to put together information, create a solution, and help others understand how your ideas could work.

Division 1

• Research Project Award, 1st Place NxtGen Robo

Division 2

• Research Project Award, 1st Place Final Frontier

ROBOT PERFORMANCE AWARD
Sometimes we measure success by a number only, but in this case, number one represents hours of strategizing and improving team members’ mechanical and programming expertise. This award goes to the team whose overall package of robot design, programming, strategy, and teamwork helped it to achieve the competition goal of acquiring more points than any other team.

Division 1

• Robot Performance Award, 1st Place Team Dynamite
• Robot Performance Award, 2nd Place NxtGen Robo

Division 2

• Robot Performance Award, 1st Place Brainy Bunch
• Robot Performance Award, 2nd Place Nysmith Xtraterrestrials

CORE VALUES AWARD
Teamwork is critical to succeed in FIRST LEGO League and is the key ingredient in any team’s success. This award is presented to the team whose members best demonstrate extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, exceptional partnership, the utmost respect for their own teammates, and support and encouragement of fellow teams. They demonstrated confidence, energy, strong problem solving skills, and great group dynamics.

Division 1

• Core Values Award, 1st Place ID Robotics

Division 2

• Core Values Award, 1st Place Riverhawks

CHAMPION'S AWARD
The FLL experience is more than building robots or attending competitions. Teams win other awards for being best in a particular award category. This most prestigious award goes to the team who, in the big picture, is the strongest in all of the categories combined. The Champion’s Award winner is the total package: the embodiment of the FIRST LEGO League vision.

This award celebrates the ultimate success of the FIRST mission and FLL Values. It measures how the children inspire others about the accessibility and excitement of science, technology, and engineering while demonstrating respect, encouragement, and continued gracious professionalism. The winning team is given the honor of serving as a valued role model for FIRST and the FIRST LEGO League Program.

Division 1

• Champion’s Award, 1st Place Team Dynamite

Division 2

• Champion’s Award, 1st Place Brainy Bunch
• Champion’s Award, 2nd Place Nysmith Xtraterrestrials

FIRST LEGO League introduces children around the world to the fun and experience of solving real-world problems by applying math, science and technology.

FLL is an international program for children that combine a hands-on, interactive robotics program with a sports-like atmosphere. Teams consist of up to 10 players with the focus on such things as team building, problem solving, creativity, and analytical thinking. For more information about the FIRST program please see the website www.USFIRST.org.