Local LEGO robotics team performs well at international tournament

Wed, May 14, 2008

SPRING LAKE — The Men in Black, a F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League Robotics team comprised of five fifth- and sixth-grade students from Spring Lake, competed in the International Finals tournament in St. Paul, Minn., in early May.

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"We placed squarely in the middle," coach David Wolters said. "I'm thrilled. We have average smart kids."

Wolters said the competition was fierce, with teams from 17 countries and 20 states making up the 63 teams at the tournament.

In addition to robot performance, all teams were judged on their teamwork and creative presentation of their findings on a research project.

"Our robot, 'Zippy the Wonder Bot,' decided to have a bad day and was performing badly," Wolters said. "It's every team's nightmare. For as much effort as it takes to design and program them, these things sometimes go haywire — but I guess that's technology.

"Fortunately, the team is strong in teamwork, and their presentation video really impressed the judges and that helped make up for robot malfunctions," the coach added.

The Men in Black also participated in the tournament's Alliance Challenge, where four teams are assigned to work together to solve a common challenge. The Spring Lake team became fast friends with Electroambiental, a team from Toluca, Mexico, during the challenge.

The coaches of the two teams agreed to set up an exchange program in which the teams will begin collaborating in September over the Internet by Web cam and Instant Messenger.

The Men in Black will then travel to Mexico to compete as one team with Electroambiental, staying in team member's homes while in Toluca, Wolters said. The favor will be returned when Electroambiental travels to Spring Lake to compete in a Michigan tournament.

"My kids had a few misconceptions about what a team from Mexico would be like," Wolters said. "The opportunity for learning on many levels with a program like this is amazing."

The Spring Lake team is not affiliated with any school. Their efforts are funded by parents, sponsors and fundraising by the team members.

Wolters is actively seeking local businesses or organizations who are interested in helping support technology education.

"I realize that the current business climate is challenging, but you have to have faith that it will work out and jump on these opportunities when they present themselves," he said.

The team is also seeking teammates. F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League teams are comprised of up to 10 kids, ages 9-14, and Wolters encourages area parents who have a son or daughter interested in science, technology or the world around them to contact him.

"A common misconception is that this is a bunch of kids playing with LEGOs," he said. "When in fact it is all about teamwork, problem solving and learning about global challenges and issues. The robot is half of what we do, and just happens to be made with LEGOs."

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