Robotics Teams
Updated with exciting news April 25, 2023.
Did you know that Edison Ford hosts not one, but two award-winning FIRST LEGO league robotics teams? First LEGO League is a robotics competition for students aged 9-14 years old. Teams compete on a robotics field attempting to accomplish as many robotic tasks as possible within two minutes and thirty seconds. Teams are also judged in their technical knowledge, their work on an innovation project, and their core values. We are excited to share updates on the incredible work both teams have done so far this robotics season:
“Assembly Required” advanced to the state competition, where they won third place for the Robot Performance Award with the third highest score at the tournament and third place for the Robot Design Award. At the world competition, “Assembly Required” won the Core Values Award, which is one of the four challenge awards offered. Judges assess teams during presentations for several components, including discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun. Teams are also evaluated during interviews and while operating the robot on the field. This is the first time a team from Florida has won this award.
“Batteries Included,” in their first year of competition, advanced to the state competition, where they won the Rising All Star Award and the fifth highest robot score. At the earlier qualifying tournament, they won a robot design finalist award and were one of just eight teams who secured a spot at the state competition!
Each team has nine students in fourth through ninth grade from 13 different schools in two counties. The teams practice weekly and work together on innovative projects to prepare for competition. The “Assembly Required” team will compete at the FIRST LEGO League World Robotics Festival in Houston, Texas, along with the top 108 teams from around the World, April 19 to 22. The teams’ coach and Education Coordinator at EFWE, Pearce Augustenborg, was honored with the Florida State Coach and Mentor Award for the second year in a row.
“The teams’ resilience and perseverance have certainly been tested, despite some significant challenges throughout the season,” said Pearce Augustenborg, Education Coordinator at EFWE. “Hurricane Ian flooded the garage bay in the Edison caretaker’s house, so practice was put on hold for a month.”
The robotics program is currently sponsored by TLC Engineering Solutions, Ronin Riding Club of SWFL, Scientists Society of SWFL, Blue Waters Development Group, Florida Power & Light, Lee County Electric Cooperative, Entech, Edison National Bank, Paydit, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Matco Tools, ESG Kullen Communities, and AMR Painting. To learn more:
- Follow Assembly Required on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram
- Visit the Assembly Required website
