CUMBERLAND — More than 170 local students from 24 teams across 17 elementary and middle schools recently participated in the Allegany County FIRST LEGO League Qualifier at Allegany College of Maryland.
Roughly 60 volunteers and 300 spectators supported and cheered on the student competitors.
The event was organized by Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County Together.
Key collaborators included Allegany County Public Schools and ACM.
Other supporters who provided help with volunteers and supplies include LaVale Lions Club, Hampton Inn, TC Energy, Appalachian Regional Commission, Sheetz, Queen City Creamery, IBM and the Doug and Betsey Schwab Family Foundation.
FIRST LEGO League provides students in grades four through eight with a hands-on, interactive robotics program in a sports-like atmosphere.
Teams of up to 10 players develop teamwork, problem solving, creativity and analytical thinking skills during the season, which begins in August.
At the qualifier, teams are evaluated on their robot’s performance and design, their research project, as well as their teamwork, decision-making and communication skills.
All students received medals for completing the season and competing at the qualifier.
The highest scoring teams in the areas of robot game, robot design, core values and research project won trophies.
The top five teams overall earned a trip to the Maryland FLL State Championships, which will be held Feb. 24 at University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
The championships will be streamed live beginning at noon.
The five teams representing Allegany County at the state level are the Calvary Christian Academy 3-D Eagles, West Side Elementary Thortles, Braddock Middle Programming Porcupines, Calvary Christian Academy Ramped Up and Bishop Walsh Burgundy.
Visit reactallegany.org for more information.