GN school kids compete in Lego battle

The Island Now

An unprecedented number of teams from the Great Neck Public Schools entered and won awards at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League (FLL) Regional Qualifying Competition, on Feb. 1, at Central Islip High School, and at the Long Island Championship Competition, on March 2, at Longwood School in Middle Island.

Regional Qualifying Competition

Participating at the Regional Qualifying Competition were teams from North Middle, South Middle, Baker, Kennedy, Lakeville, and Saddle Rock Schools. All teams were competing for the first time, except North Middle’s; they were rookies last year.

FLL is open to students in grades 4 through 8. Students are challenged to build LEGO-based robots to complete tasks based on a theme. This year’s them was “Nature’s Fury,” that is, national disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, and floods. Students apply real-world math and science concepts, research challenges, and learn critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills. They also learn to work as a group using collaboration and effective communication. 

South Middle’s team combined with a team from Greenlawn to form Team “Rebel’s Fury.” The two teams scored the highest combined points to receive the Alliance Award.

Baker’s team won the Judges Award.

Kennedy’s team won the Gracious Professionalism Award.

Lakeville won the Teamwork Award.

Saddle Rock won the Mechanical Design Award.

Baker, Kennedy, Lakeville, and Saddle Rock won four of the available 12 awards that qualify a team to compete at the next level, the Long Island Championship.

The teachers at each of these schools worked tirelessly with their students to help them learn not only the various concepts of robotics, but also cooperation and the importance of teamwork. Faculty coaches for FLL events are: Elizabeth Gallo (North Middle), Randy Lane and Jonathan Ruvio (South Middle), Diane Boylan and Lisa Malfi (Baker), Maddy Constantino and Amy Mendel (Kennedy), Adam Feinstein, Eileen Magilligan, and Leslie Watnik (Lakeville), and Nicole Alexander, Melissa Diamond, and Janene Rowland (Saddle Rock).

LI Championship Competition

Teams from Baker, Kennedy, Lakeville, and Saddle Rock participated in the Long Island Championship Competition. Three of the four teams copped awards.

Baker’s team won the Judges Award.

Kennedy’s team won the Teamwork Award.

Lakeville won the Inspiration Award.

“It’s amazing to see these young minds getting excited about such an important aspect of our society,” said John Motchkavitz, South High School business/technology department head, who has helped oversee the recent outstanding implementation of the district’s robotics teams. “The opportunities that this program presents them with, not only now, but also in their future, are endless. At the high school level, we see many of our students move on to various fields of engineering and robotics. Applying the important skills of math, science, and technology into a highly sophisticated piece of equipment truly makes the learning experience worthwhile. I know everyone is proud to see these young minds at work. I also wish to thank Superintendent Thomas Dolan and the Board of Education for their continued support of and commitment to robotic programs.”

 

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