Through the FIRST LEGO League (FLL), young learners of the present join together to solve some of the most pressing problems of tomorrow. And during this year’s FLL robotics season, Team 5003 from Jefferson Middle School tackled important projects related to clean energy and energy efficiency, earning an award for innovation and a spot to present their findings at the recent FLL Challenge Western Washington State Championship.
FIRST is a national organization that brings together students interested in robotics, engineering and technology. Students from elementary school through high school can participate in a range of leagues and programs that are facilitated by FIRST. Team 5003, also known as the FLLux Capacitors, are part of FIRST Washington’s FIRST LEGO League Challenge, intended for grades four through eight.
Jefferson Middle School Students Learn Real-world Skills Through FLL Robotics
Each FLL Challenge season consists of several components, including the Robot Game, the Project as well as presentations to expert panels. Through the Robot Game, students build and program a robot that can perform tasks and follow certain commands in a competitive setting. Through the Project, teams are asked to find and solve a real-world issue within the provided theme. This year’s theme centered around electricity and energy efficiency.
As students work on these projects, the team also puts together a report about the real-world issue. They will then present it to a panel of judges and relevant industry professionals. Throughout the season, teams are evaluated not only on the content of their presentations, but also on their commitment to FIRST’s core values, including discovery, innovation, inclusion and teamwork.
Team 5003 From Jefferson Middle School Wins the Innovation Award in the Semi-final Round of Competition
Team 5003 competed in a qualification round of competition in December. During their session, the team presented information about their Project, Robot Game and their work process during the season. Team 5003 passed through this qualification round, moving on to the semi-final round of the competition.
Ahead of the semi-finals, the team had time to improve on their projects, tie up loose ends, and incorporate feedback that was provided by the judges. During the semi-final competition in January, Team 5003 successfully presented their version of the Project, earning praise from judges and taking home the Innovation Award. John Chernoff, club advisor for Team 5003, says that the semi-finals proved to be a busy round of competition, but it was a great team accomplishment to work together and take home one of the top awards of the day.
As team advisor, Chernoff’s approach is to ensure the team structure is as student-centered as possible. He provides guidance along the way, but also lets students develop their own designs, learn from potential mistakes and make important revisions to projects. Chernoff says he also helps students to build their soft skills, related to self-management, communication and punctuality, that can be carried into high school and future career endeavors.
“There’s a set of skills we’re learning that benefit them no matter where they go, and what they do,” explains Chernoff. “Working as a team, collaboration, long-term projects, goal setting and target hitting. Practicing those kinds of skills.”
Team 5003 Explores Clean Energy Projects for the Pacific Northwest and Beyond
Izzy, an eighth grade student and captain for Team 5003, has had a good experience this season as a part of the FLL Challenge robotics team at Jefferson Middle School. After working as a group on the Robot Game and the Project, Izzy was happy to see the team achieve a common goal through the Innovation Award.
“My favorite part of FLL was working really hard at something and getting to see our hard work pay off in the form of an award,” says Izzy. “The season was very exciting for everyone on Team 5003. After barely making it to semifinals, we greatly improved our presentation and robot. Winning the number one innovation project award is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
For this year’s Project, Team 5003 looked at the use of algae to produce clean energy. During the research phase of this project, the team discovered a real-world company that utilizes panels of algae that can generate electricity under the right set of circumstances.
These algae panels can also remove greenhouse gasses, like carbon dioxide, from the air. A limitation for this method of algae farming is that the algae only live within a certain temperature range and without technological advances, could only be used in certain climates that get enough sunshine.
The team explored ways to connect heat pumps with a building’s existing HVAC system. These heat pumps would work in conjunction with the algae panels, so that the algae can remain active in all climates. This solution could be especially helpful if the technology were to be used in a region like the Pacific Northwest.
“They’re looking at existing technologies, emerging technologies and thinking, how could that be better or different,” says Chernoff. “Or how can we convert it to be more appropriate for our area? One of the things FIRST really encourages with the innovation project, although not required, is to relate it to your own community.”
After securing the Innovation Award in the semi-final round of competition, the team built upon their presentation at the Western Washington State Championship in late January. Chernoff says that although Team 5003 fell short of winning an award at the state championship, they were one of the only teams to come from a public school and he’s proud that the team was able to compete at that high level.
And as this season comes to a close, Team 5003 continues to celebrate their success this season, which includes working together toward a common goal, exploring new skill sets, connecting concepts to real world scenarios, while also having fun along the way.
To learn more about Team 5003, or FLL Challenge robotics at Jefferson Middle School, visit the Jefferson Middle School website.
