On Saturday, December 3, 2011 Poynter Middle School hosted the Intel Oregon First LEGO League Qualifying Tournament. The First LEGO organization is a state-wide competitive league where teams of young engineers, aged 9-14, prepare year-round and must demonstrate planning, problem solving skills, and collaborative creativity used in real engineering projects. Teams were judged in four categories: Robot Performance, Technical Interview, Core Values Interview, and Project Presentation. 18 teams, comprised of 125 kids, competed in five hours of competition.
The five winning teams earning right of entry to the State Championship on January 14-15 at Liberty High School in Hillsboro are:
· The Food Blocks, a neighborhood team from Arbor Ridge in Beaverton
· Team Lego Pie-on-Ears from the Forest Heights neighborhood in Portland
· Lego Ninja Warriors, a neighborhood team from Hillsboro
· The Sprinting Spirits from Jacob Wismer School in Portland
· And the Champion’s Award went to Bricks in Black from St. Matthew Catholic School in Hillsboro
More teams will qualify for the State Championship by competing at local qualifying tournaments throughout the state, including two at Hilhi this weekend December 11-12. The event is open to the public. See their website at http://hilhi.ortop.org for more information.
Congratulations to all the Hillsboro competitors and the many volunteers supporting these events.
FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Its mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication and leadership.
Contact: Chris Steiner, steinerc@hsd.k12.or.us, 503-844-1500 x6120