CourtesyCarson Middle School science teacher Mary Stanley stands with her Milk Dudz team after winning the Inspiration Award at the FIRST LEGO League Championship on Dec. 10 at Sparks High School. Members are, from left to right, Nicky Nunez, Fox Ventura, Ian Petterson, Evan Cherpeski, Nura Tung and Lillie Potts.
Carson City students were among the 28 teams and 14 junior teams compete in the First LEGO League Tournament on Dec. 10 at Sparks High School.
More than 350 students participated in this year's challenge, Food Factor and Snack Attack.
Each team member averages an additional 50 hours of active science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning under the robotics program each season beyond their normal school work.
Keynote speaker Anna Vickrey, from the Nevada Dairy Commission, spoke about the need for the next generation of food scientists and technologists.
The overall winner, Bricks on the Brain from Incline Village, will be invited represent Northern Nevada at the World Festival in St. Louis, Mo., in April.
Award Winners
Champion's Award: Bricks on the Brain, coached by Richard Drewes, Incline Village
Robot Performance
First place: Bricks on the Brain Team, coached by Richard Drewes, Incline Village
Honorable Mentions: Kitsters, coached by Rena Huntington, Carson City; The PAC MEN, coached by Richard Frewert and Dave Overland, Carson City
Judges' Choice Award - Dolphins, coached by Jason Shipman, Reno
Robot
Mechanical Design Award: The PAC MEN, coached by Richard Frewert and Dave Overland, Carson City
Innovative and Strategy Award: Kitsters, Rena Huntington, Mind Builders
Programming Award: The Knights 1, coached by Geraldine Lemus-Yip, Dilworth
Core Values
Inspiration Award: Fritsch Elementary Bulldogs Milk Dudz, coached by Mary Stanley, Carson City
Teamwork Award: Mendive, Coached by Holly Young
Gracious Professionalism Award: Carson Middle School Solons, coached by Lisa Stocke-Koop, Carson City
Project
Presentation Award: Team Talon, coached by Stacy Gordon, Coral Academy of Sciences
Innovative Solution Award: Hunsberger Robotic League, coached by Helen Yung, Reno
Research Award: Da Wild Things, Coached by Bob Kirk, Yerington 4-H
Special Awards
Volunteer of the Year Award: Timothy Robinson, Washoe County GT STEM Implementation Specialist
Young Mentor Award: Taylor Wellnitz, Smith Valley 4-H