UCS teams bring the thunder to annual robotics tournament

Six Utica Community Schools received top honors at this years ThunderQuest robotics tournament, with four earning the right to compete at the state level.

The four UCS teams be competing in the Michigan Lego Robotics tournament this spring.

The UCS ThunderQuest is the longest running and largest regional FIRST Lego Robotics tournament in Michigan. It is sponsored annually by the high school ThunderChickens team, a three-time winner of the international FIRST title.

FIRST Lego Robotics introduces younger students (ages 6-12) to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. Project-based, hands-on FIRST programs promote coding, programming, and engineering in an environment where students work collaboratively to solve a yearly robotics challenge.

UCS teams advancing to state competition and the honors they earned are:

• The Robo Faires, from Messmore Elementary, who earned the top award – the Champion’s Award – the top award at the competition - and placed second in the Robot Performance Award. The team’s mentors Perla and Ray Moncayo earned the Coach/Mentor Award.
• Morgan Elementary Dinos, from Morgan Elementary, who earned first place for the Core Values Award;
• The Deep Fried Eagles, from Morgan Elementary, who earned the fourth place in the Innovation Project Award. The team’s mentor Shana Gasparovich earned the Coach/Mentor Award.
• The Maverick Mechanics, from Messmore Elementary, who earned fourth place in the Champion’s Award and third place in the Robot Performance Award.

Other schools earning top awards include the Spirit Award, from the Wiley Elementary Challenge Team, first place in the Robot Design Award from the Bit Busters, from Beacon Tree Elementary School, and second place in the Robot Design Award and fourth place in the Robert Performance Award for the Evil Croutons, from Ebeling Elementary School.

Superintendent Robert S. Monroe

Http://www.uticak12.org