Local student robot teams win awards at state competition

Whitman County teams competed at the Ellensburg State Robotics Competition Feb. 23 and the three county rookie F.I.R.S.T. Lego League teams all were rewarded.

Each of the teams of fourth through eighth-graders qualified to go to Ellensburg by placing in the top seven at an event in Cheney in January.

The theme for this year’s competitions was “Senior Solutions,” which refers to using robot technology to aid senior citizens.

At the Ellensburg state competition, the Colfax-based 4H Palouse Area Robotics Team (PART), named “ROBOTS,” received the Project Presentation trophy and the second 4H PART team from Colfax, named “Sciber Squids,” received the Robot Programming award. In addition, the “Bot Boys” from Pullman received the Core Values: Gracious Professionalism trophy.

F.I.R.S.T. is an international program for students to promote learning and the excitement of science and technology. Growing each year, it involved 300,000 youth from more than 60 countries who this year participated in annual competitions. The purpose is to build technology skills, inspire innovation and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication and leadership.