Robotics teams receive recognition at world championships

Port Huron Times Herald

Published 3:06 p.m. ET April 30, 2019

Local robotics teams were recognized at the FIRST World Championships in Detroit over the weekend. 

Memphis FIRST LEGO League Jr. team the BeeCoders were selected by their peers to receive the Team Choice Award. Each of the 60 FLL Jr., teams in attendance voted on who should get the award, which recognizes the “best displays of all the core values of FIRST,” according to a news release by the Blue Water Area Robotics Alliance. The FIRST LEGO League Jr., is the FIRST level for students aged six to 10 years old. 

The award got them access to the field during the closing Ceremonies at Ford Field. The BeeCoders also received the Explore and Discover Award, which allowed Memphis Elementary third-grader Faith Franklin to introduce FIRST Robotics Founder Dean Kamen at the closing ceremonies. 

Algonacs’s FIRST LEGO League Jr. team the Moon Muskrats also received the explore and Discover award for being able to explore what it would be like to live on the moon, the news release said. 

Algonac’s RoboRats competed at the FIRST Tech Challenge level and ranked 17 out of 80 teams in their division. Memphis’ FTC team the Wild Bees, placed 38 out of 80 in their division.

At the FIRST Robotics Competition level, Algonac’s Full Metal Muskrats were the only team with the Blue Water Area Robotics Alliance to make it to the playoff rounds. They ended competition play ranked 59 out of 68 teams. 

Port Huron High School and Port Huron Northern High School’s team the Mecanum Knights ended qualification rounds ranked 17th out of 68 teams competing, but were not selected by any of the top eight teams for the playoffs. Richmond’s Blue Devils ended the competition ranked 27 of 68 teams. 

Outside of the Blue Water Area Robotics Alliance, local independent team Da MOOse finished the competition ranked 45 of 68 teams. 

Next year’s challenge was announced during the closing Ceremonies. Titled Infinite Recharge, it is coming in January of 2020. 

Read or Share this story: https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2019/04/30/robotics-teams-receive-recognition-world-championships/3628943002/