First Lego League Competition Draw Young People From Around Southeast Alaska to Juneau Saturday

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Saturday, December 9th, 2017 4:53pm

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Ryan Kullander lines up the Team Ice Avalanche robot for a tricky run.

Juneau, AK (KINY)-Centennial Hall was full of excited young people Saturday, along with robots roughly the size of a gallon milk jug. The First Lego League brought elementary and middle school students from around Southeast to Centennial Hall to see who could instruct a robot to repair and alter a miniature water system.

Ryan Kullander was on Team Ice Avalanche.  He says he was worried about the task that required the robot to run down the side of the table with the miniature water system as it had not worked in practice.  Once it was for points, the robot performed the task.  Kullander was trying to collect a fountain, a toilet, and a broken pipe.

The competition is more than just the robotics work.  Kids have to research a current issue associated with the scenarios.  The theme this year was "Water".   The teams have to research and present on that topic.  Coach Laura Buchheit was coaching the all-girls team from Gustavus. she said the girls worked hard not only on the programming but on the research and presentation they did about arsenic in the water. Buchheit says Gustavus has a problem with arsenic in the water and she is happy the girls picked an issue that is close to home.

Seanna Hines is a local parent, who daughter Lola was competing today.  She agrees with Buchheit that learning robotics is only a part of the benefit to kids.  Hines says the program lets the kids build confidence, learn teamwork, and communication skills.  She is also touched that so many people turn out for the competition at this time of year when everyone is so busy.

The competition was a one day event, on Saturday.

 

More from News of the North

• Juneau Firefighters to Get Additional Money

  Juneau, AK (KINY) - There was a short Special Assembly meeting held on Monday night to quickly address two items.

• Affordable Housing Fund to be Worked On in Preparation of Incoming Funds

  Juneau, AK (KINY) - At the latest Committee of the Whole meeting, there was a presentation showing the intent to streamline the process for the Affordable Housing Fund in an effort to incentivize more housing development.

• JUMP Society Transitioning into Physical Presence for Filmmaking and Creative Projects

  Juneau, AK (KINY) - An upcoming event could be the catalyst for a new era for a local group that focuses on filmmaking and creative collaborations.

• Tlingit & Haida Making Progress on Cultural Immersion Park

  Juneau, AK (KINY) - Tlingit & Haida are close to tearing down a structure in Thane that will eventually be the grounds of a cultural immersion park.

• Dimond cautiously optimistic on outcome of House District 33 race

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - House District 33 Candidate Chris Dimond talked about his candidacy on Action Line Tuesday.

• Man cleared of killing bear

  Kake, Alaska (KINY) Alaska Wildlife Troopers said Burt Jackson, 45, was defending his life or property.

• Loewen to be arraigned Thursday

  Sitka, Alaska (KINY) Authorities released more details from an investigation into an illegal pipe bomb.

• No Injuries Reported from Sunday Old Dairy Road Crash

  Juneau, AK (KINY) - There were no serious injuries in a motor vehicle crash that occurred on Sunday in the 8500 block of Old Dairy Road.

• Votes for Any Candidates on Alaska Ballot will Count

  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A vote for any candidate for governor and lieutenant governor on the general election ballot in Alaska will be counted, the state elections office said Monday.

• Suicidal Man Parked Outside Hospital in Fairbanks

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Police in Alaska say they're negotiating Monday with a suicidal man parked in a vehicle with a woman outside a town's only public hospital.

• Hannan likes her chances in House District 33 race, but thinks it will be close

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Democrat seeking to represent House District 33 which includes downtown Juneau, Douglas and Northern Lynn Canal communities was a guest on Action Line Monday.

• Ty Grussendorf faces prison time

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) Grussendorf, 24, pled guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree in court today.