Hydro Dynamics – 1st place Core Values Award recipients: Katrina Streby, Blake Schroeder, Airamia Holland and Kaycee Knutson (not in photo).

LARWILL — The Lego Robotics Qualifying Tournament for the 2017 Hydro Dynamics Challenge was hosted this past November, and WMS’ teams took home two first place trophies as well as a second place.

WMS students earned 3 overall awards for the following teams:

• Hydro Dynamics – 1st place Project Award – Shoshana Keim, AJ Fortman, Jason Seifert and Kylie Fugett
• Hydro Dynamics – 1st place Core Values Award – Katrina Streby, Blake Schroeder, Airamia Holland and Kaycee Knutson
• Hydro Dynamics – 2nd place Core Values Award – Danielle Schuman, Austin Kreps, Braiden Wolfe and  Anastacia Schmidt

Teams consist of three to five students led by WMS Instructor Teresa Knepple.  Students must design, build and program Lego NXT or EV3 Robots. Because the robots are autonomous, meaning they do not utilize a remote control, students also program them ahead of time to in order for the robot to successfully complete a task during the tournament. 

Throughout the competition, students programmed their robots to complete multiple missions on a four foot by eight foot game board, accumulating points during a two and a half minute time limit. Missions included dropping barrels onto platforms to initiate a reaction from the platform, repositioning legos, pulling or picking up objects and returning them to the home position on the game board, replacing objects, and triggering chain reactions. 

Those competing also have to present a real world problem and share a possible solution to a panel of judges.  This year’s topic was Hydro Dynamic. As a result, students focused on how water is transported, located, and distributed for human consumption and use. Teams were required to focus on problems in the community, and create a solution to for the identified problem.   

Whitko Middle School proudly hosts seven Lego Robotics teams, four of which competed at the tournament in November. With first place honors, it’s easy to see how these up-and-coming Wildcats will soon be making “waves” as they continue to pursue their interests with robotics and H2O.