It was an early start for the Lego da Vincis robotics team on Saturday morning, as they headed to the East Provincials tournament at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa.
Forty teams from throughout the province qualified to compete based on winning their regional competitions in December. Niagara was represented by the Lego da Vincis, a team comprised of eight home-schooled students from Pelham, Welland and St. Catharines.
After many hours of intensive research and work on their project (a board game to teach students about graduating from post-secondary school debt free), the team presented to a panel of judges.
The following challenge tested their teamwork and core values and finally, the presentation to explain their robot design and programming approach. A select group of teams that stand out to the judges are “called back” to further discuss their ideas and the Lego da Vincis received coveted call backs in all three areas of the contest.
Although it seemed that the hard work was over, they were really just getting started as the robot games commenced in the afternoon, where an obstacle course is setup with tasks for the robot to complete within a two and a half minute window. The teams spend the months leading up to competition building, programming and testing their unique designs to best navigate the game field.
Four opportunities are given to register their best score and the Lego da Vincis posted the top score of the day with 459 points and took the Robot Performance Award. The team also added trophies for the best project presentation and Coach of the Year award to their longtime, dedicated coach, Debbie Hoffele.
It is with thanks that the team recognizes Accipiter Radar for their support this year, as well as the many businesses and services clubs that supported their competition trip to Brazil.
The group says it has been an exciting First Lego League year with the crowning achievements being received at the Provincial tournament this weekend.
