Press Release Feb 2, 2010

Contact Information:
Harald Guenther
coach-harald@igutech.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SCHNECKSVILLE 5^th GRADERS WIN AWARD IN ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP

Schnecksville, PA, February 1, 2010:  The Schnecksville FIRST Lego League team had another big success Saturday, January 30 at the regional FLL championship tournament (Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, DE).  The team from Schnecksville, known as IGUTECH, was recognized for their outstanding overall performance. The students scored in the top 10% in all four judged categories: Teamwork, Robot Performance, Robot Design and Research Project. In addition, the team achieved the highest average score of all 47 participating teams in robot performance.

Seven of the eight Igutech members are 5^th grade students in the Parkland School District, mostly at Schnecksville Elementary: Sydney Neth, Jackie Katz, Justin Evans, Stewart Albert, Jonathan Snyder, Tilman Guenther, Ferdinand Schall plus Henrik zu Jeddeloh (Emmaus).

“The judges were impressed by the fact that the Igutechs did so well in every category – despite the fact that we are a first-year team and one of the youngest in the competition”, stated Harald Guenther, coach of Schnecksville’s IGUTECH team.  “They all really worked well together to reach this level”.

This year’s challenge was to pick a transportation-related problem and find solutions.  The Igutech Team selected “bike transportation in our community”. A recent school survey was part of their research as well as meetings with North Whitehall Township and PENNDOT officials. The team was judged on its research as well as their performance in a teamwork exercise during the FLL competition. They presented their research as a skit to discuss the bike issue in a mock “Township Meeting”. They were also judged on their robot design, robot programming and finally the performance of the robot on the game field. 

For more information about Schnecksville’s Igutech or sponsorship, contact Harald Guenther at Coach-Harald@igutech.org;

 

About FIRST LEGO League

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an exciting and fun global robotics program that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in kids ages 9 to 14. Each year FLL teams embark on an adventurous Challenge based on current, real-world issues. Guided by a team coach and assisted by mentors, the kids build and program a Lego robot that autonomously completes a series of missions on a 4′ x 8′ (1.2 m x 2.4 m) playing field. Points are scored for completed missions in a 2:30 min time frame, for innovative robot design, team work and a presentation of a research project the team has completed.

FIRST (FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

Back (L-r): Jackie Katz, Jonathan Snyder, Henrik zu Jeddeloh, Sydney Neth
Middle (l-r): Coach Harald Guenther, Ferdinand Schall, Justin Evans
Front (l-r): Stewart Albert, Tilman Guenther