In its first season, Parksville’s First Lego League competitive robotics team, the Cyber Raptors, returned from the Provincial Championships held on Feb. 2 in Victoria with the ‘Rising Stars’ award.
The team, comprised of nine Parksville youngsters aged nine to 14, and their leader Chris Morrissey, competed against 40 teams from across B.C. and the Yukon.
The competition involved building a robot that navigates an obstacle course to solve various missions assigned to them and being able to explain the robot and its code in detail to a set of judges. The competition also involved developing a project presentation to provide innovative solutions for space-based problems.
The Cyber Raptors addressed the challenge of exercising in space featuring a virtual reality demonstration of the International Space Station. The competition is based on the First Lego League core values which include discovery, innovation, inclusion, teamwork, fun and impact.
After a top-five finish in their first competition together, the team was very excited to receive the Rising Stars award which recognizes a team that the judges notice and expect great things from in the future. The team is excited to continue working together to fulfill those expectations next season.
“We are so grateful to JunioTech Kids Academy in Calgary, Oceanside Community Makerspace, and Chris for giving our kids the opportunity to participate in this STEM-based program,” said parent Jennifer Grenz.
— NEWS Staff, submitted