On Saturday, February 23, students from across the District represented Elmbrook at the Wisconsin FIRST Lego League (FLL) State Competition at Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, WI. The competition included four teams from Wisconsin Hills and a team of students from Pilgrim Park. All teams had to identify and solve unique problems in outer space, such as repairing damaged solar panels, counteracting muscle atrophy, and shielding astronauts from radiation upon reentry to Earth. The teams received the following honors for their projects:

The GEarheads (WHMS):

• State Tournament Champion (advancing to World Championship Tournament in Detroit this April)

• One of two teams at competition nominated for the Global Innovation Event in California this June

• Nominated for Innovative Solution in Project category

• Nominated for Mechanical Design in Robot Design category

• Nominated for Gracious Professionalism in Core Values category

The Viperbots (WHMS):

• Received the only nomination in the state to attend the FIRST Legoland International Open in California this May

• Nominated for Robot Strategy & Innovation in Robot Design category

SPEAR (PPMS):

• Won for Inspiration in Core Values category

• Nominated for Teamwork in the Core Values category

Rising Rhinobots (WHMS):

• Won for Gracious Professionalism in Core Values category

• Nominated for Project Research in Project category

Astro Helpers (WHMS):

• Praised by judges for having a patent pending on their project design

The success of middle school robotics teams was driven by the FIRST Lego League program's expansion this year for students at every grade level. This school year Wisconsin Hills expanded from two to six teams, students from PPMS fielded a team, an independent second-year team (Robots Incorporated) composed of PPMS and Burleigh students advanced to Sectionals and their coach Dan Woodward received the Coach's Award. Additionally, Swanson had continued success at the elementary level advancing to Sectionals, Burleigh Elementary has sustained programs for 4 years, and Brookfield Elementary launched a FLL program this school year.

At the high school level, the Brookfield Central/Brookfield East co-op BEAST Robotics has a very successful and popular program that consistently travels to competitions all over the country. Last year, BEAST won the Innovation in Control Award which celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components in the team's project.

"Having FIRST programs at different levels throughout Elmbrook allows our older students to become supporters and mentors to our younger students," said Judy Scaro, Wisconsin Hills advisor and 2019 Jaycees award winner. "We hope to continue to strengthen these relationships and collaboration in coming seasons to encourage more students to get involved in FIRST and other STEM opportunities.