Robotics Team Advances to World Championship
Last weekend, St. Mark's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team finished second in the overall state championship out of more than 1,100 teams from across Texas. The sixth-grade "RoboRoar" team now advances to the world championship, where they will compete against the 160 top global teams.
The Marksmen team placed second overall at state while winning second place in the Champion’s Award, an all-encompassing award that factors in the robot game, engineering, core values and innovation.
“Resilience was key this year. None of the competitions went smoothly, but the boys were able to hang together and react in real-time to adjust and overcome challenges,” said Dr. Stephen Harder, the team’s parent coach. "They were third in the state last year and were determined to improve on that. Obviously, we were all thrilled with this year’s second-place finish and opportunity to represent St. Mark's in the world championship.”
During the competition, FLL teams set their robots on a table-sized playing field with various tasks to complete. Each task has associated points, and the team that earns the most points within a two-and-one-half-minute time limit wins. The task requires serious teamwork, programming skills and robot-building skills to create a bot that can accomplish multiple tasks.
“It’s rare for any team to make it to state, and near inconceivable for a team to make it to world, since Texas is the most competitive FLL region in the program,” said Makerspace Director Stewart Mayer.
Mayer and science instructor Dr. Dan Lipin helped coach the boys.
“Seeing these boys learn and grow over the past three years in FIRST Lego League has been tremendously rewarding,” Dr. Harder said. “I can’t thank St. Mark’s, Mr. Mayer and Dr. Lipin, enough for lending their time and expertise. FLL has been life-changing for the boys.”
The non-profit organization FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) partners with the LEGO Group to host these global robotics competitions as part of its broader mission to promote science and engineering among students.
Back
The Marksmen team placed second overall at state while winning second place in the Champion’s Award, an all-encompassing award that factors in the robot game, engineering, core values and innovation.
“Resilience was key this year. None of the competitions went smoothly, but the boys were able to hang together and react in real-time to adjust and overcome challenges,” said Dr. Stephen Harder, the team’s parent coach. "They were third in the state last year and were determined to improve on that. Obviously, we were all thrilled with this year’s second-place finish and opportunity to represent St. Mark's in the world championship.”
During the competition, FLL teams set their robots on a table-sized playing field with various tasks to complete. Each task has associated points, and the team that earns the most points within a two-and-one-half-minute time limit wins. The task requires serious teamwork, programming skills and robot-building skills to create a bot that can accomplish multiple tasks.
“It’s rare for any team to make it to state, and near inconceivable for a team to make it to world, since Texas is the most competitive FLL region in the program,” said Makerspace Director Stewart Mayer.
Mayer and science instructor Dr. Dan Lipin helped coach the boys.
“Seeing these boys learn and grow over the past three years in FIRST Lego League has been tremendously rewarding,” Dr. Harder said. “I can’t thank St. Mark’s, Mr. Mayer and Dr. Lipin, enough for lending their time and expertise. FLL has been life-changing for the boys.”
The non-profit organization FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) partners with the LEGO Group to host these global robotics competitions as part of its broader mission to promote science and engineering among students.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
