The RCA First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Team

3-2-1-Lego!  On Saturday, January 7, 2012, the RCA First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Team participated in a Georgia super-regional robotics competition held at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins.  The team qualified for the competition given their performance at a December qualifying event where they won the Core Values Inspiration Award and were named one of the top ten (out of 30) teams which competed that day.  RCA’s FLL robotics team is comprised of eight students and four coaches:

Zaferah Fortune, 7^th grade
Natasha Griffin, 7^th grade
Robin Okunowo, 7^th grade
Ariana Tyson, 7^th grade
Eryck Warmsley, 7^th grade
Brandon Benn, 5^th grade
Daylin Murchison-Green, 5^th grade
Janay Walker, 5^th grade
Junior Bernadin, IT manager
Gina Coss, science teacher
Adam Dovico, STEM teacher
Ken Townsel, science teacher

The FLL competition included several components:

Robot Games – Students built and programmed robots that must perform “missions” related to this year’s FLL theme – Food Factor.

Technical – Students orally justified the design of their robot and attachments that were built for certain missions.

Project Challenge – In a months –long research project, students identified a potential problem in the process of food going from ground to table, researched the problem, developed an innovative solution to the problem, talked to experts and others in the community about the problem and solution, and finally, presented the overall research to judges.

Core Values – Students were instructed to address a kinesthetic challenge together as a team and then orally explained their views on teamwork, gracious professionalism, and cooperation.

After a day-long competition against 40 other robotics teams from across Georgia, the RCA Robotics Team (fondly known as Team No-Mmonia) were shocked and honored at the closing ceremonies.  The team was given top recognition as the overall Super-Regional 1^st Place Champions Award winners!   Tearfully, 5^th grader Daylin Murchison-Green remarked, “I was shocked.   It was the best moment of my life.”

Working together for several hours each week, the team became a close-knit group.  “It was definitely a team effort,” said Robin Okunowo. “All team members were experts in their jobs.  We all put in an even amount of work and effort.”  The team exemplified “gracious professionalism” as they practiced for the competition with other robotics team in the metro-Atlanta area including the Coretta Scott King Academy and the Mt. Nebo robotics team.  According to coach Adam Dovico, “Our students really enjoyed working with their peers from the other teams.”  Mrs. Coss added, “In science, there are more problems than solutions, so it is important for the scientific community to work together.  Robotics as a team learning activity demonstrates that to our students.”

The RCA Robotics Team would like to acknowledge the support of GaTech’s CEISMC (Center for Education Integrating Science, Math, and Computing), and they are looking forward to the state competition which will be held on the campus of Georgia Tech on January 28, 2012.  Go Team No-Mmonia!