The Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC) Lego I-Robotics Team has once again been awarded a top prize at Indiana’s FIRST® LEGO® League Championship. Since the team began in 2009, it has been recognized at the event as a top program.
The team travelled to Fort Wayne, Ind., where members participated in a day-long competition that required team work and innovation. This year’s theme had 52 teams from across Indiana seeking to find ways to combat food contamination. The RCLC I-Robotics team was honored as the top FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO® League Robotics Team in the state.
“We knew this could be a great year for us,” said Velshonna Luckey, youth development program director at the RCLC. “When we went to the regional qualifying competition, we no longer got looks of surprise from all the other teams and coaches. At the regional and state level, people repeatedly came to us and said things like, ‘Oh we’ve heard about your team and all the great research you do.’”
The team’s victory ensures that it will be invited to attend to the national tournament at LEGO®LAND in Carlsbad, Calif., or the open European championship in Mannhim, Germany.
The team is coached by David Moss, assistant vice president of student affairs at Notre Dame, and graduate assistant Lionel Pittman. Members include: Isiah Crudup, Cambrin Dixon, Thomas Forsythe, Malik Giger, Andrew McDonald, Hannah Moss, Lydia Moss, Philip Moss, Tiana Mudzimuerma and Valencia Randolph.
FIRST® LEGO® League is affiliated with a non-profit organization called FIRST®, an international program that challenges students to develop presentations and design and program Lego robots.
Founded in 2001 as an initiative between the University of Notre Dame and the Northeast Neighborhood, the RCLC aims to strengthen the surrounding area through relationship building and educational opportunities by promoting innovation and excellence. In its nine-year history, more than 5,500 people have participated in classes and activities at the RCLC.
Note to media: The team will hold a meeting at the RCLC, 921 N. Eddy St., South Bend, on Dec. 13 (Wednesday). Parents and students will be available for interviews at 5:45 p.m.
Contact: Velshonna Luckey, 574-631-3312, vluckey@nd.edu