Memphis, TN – Four local children from Henry County and two coaches returned to Paris following the FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) state competition at the University of Memphis this weekend as real winners. Youngsters Christopher Jackson, son of Travis and Meagan Jackson of Paris, and Jack, Benjamin and Jimmy Schultz, sons of Jeremie and Molly Schultz of the Jones Mill community had advanced to the state round of competition following a top placement in Clarksville last month. The students and coaches have been working together for the past several months. FIRST Lego League is the most accessible, guide, global robotics competition, helping students and teachers to build a better future together. Built around theme-based Challenges, the program engages children in research, problem solving, coding and engineering.
The FIRST Core Values emphasize teamwork, discovery and innovation. Students emerge more confident, excited, and equipped with the skills they need in a changing workforce. FIRST LEGO teams get to: 1) research challenges facing today’s scientist, 2) design, build, test and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology, 3) Apply real-world math and science concepts 4) learn critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills, 5) Participate in tournaments and celebrations and 6) Understand and practice Gracious Professionalism.
The competition involved Robots which had to be programmed to navigate obstacles on a course. In addition the four team members had to make a formal presentation to judges after identifying a problem in the community and creating a solution for the problem. They had chosen to design FEMA rated tornado shelters for local schools. Another part of the judging had to do with how and why they designed their robot the way that they did. Finally students made a short presentation concerning the Core Values and answered questions from the panel of judges.
Coaches Jeremie Schultz and Travis Jackson were almost as excited as their youngsters following the competition. “What was unique about this competition was not that they just built a robot to perform effectively, but they had to integrate the Core Values in identifying a community problem, create a solution and work together with effective communication and cooperation”, said Jackson.
With 48 other teams from West Tennessee competing, the “Flying Piglets” as they called themselves took home 1st place in Robot Mechanical Design. The FIRST Lego League was sponsored by TVA, University of Memphis, International Paper, SIM, Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers, IEEE and others. The single tournament winner from Clarksville advanced to national competition later in the year in Houston with opportunity to advance to International competition.