When the Falcon Fire team from Twin Bridges visited Montana State University in February of 2022, it marked the culmination of nearly five months of building and programming a robot. The junior high students used the robot to compete against 35 other teams from around the state.
At the annual For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Lego League finals tournament, the four team members unleashed their transportation-themed creation on a pool table-sized arena to complete pre-assigned missions such as unloading and moving pieces of cargo. The team was evaluated on their presentation to a panel of judges and their spirit of teamwork.
“I love to see the students get excited when something they’ve worked on for weeks and weeks finally comes together,” said coach Jenifer Elser, who teaches math and science at Twin Bridges Junior High School. “Their perseverance pays off and there are smiles all around.”
Elser started the school program about four years ago during an expansion of the science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, curriculum to offer students diverse after-school activities. “It’s a great way for them to practice real-life applications of what they learn in the classroom,” said Elser, who volunteers her time for the program. The school provides transportation and computers, but the team raises money to purchase Lego robotics kits.
“I like the hands-on aspect of it,” said eighth grader Cash Raben. “It’s a fun way to hang out with your friends.” His teammates Faith Huss, also in eighth grade, and seventh grader Flint Janzen, enjoy the time spent working together.
“It makes you learn how to problem-solve,” said eighth grader Brayden Pettigrew. He said he most enjoyed building the robot from advanced Lego pieces and programming it using a basic coding language that introduces students to computer science.
The 2022 tournament event was the first time the Twin Bridges students had journeyed to MSU’s Inspiration Hall. MSU has been involved with the Montana chapter of FIRST since 2007, initially through the Montana Space Grant Consortium and now organizing the tournament through MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. FIRST is an international organization that aims to inspire young people’s interest in STEM fields.
“We love that it’s an opportunity for teams to gather and show off their hard work,” said Loribeth Evertz, outreach coordinator for the engineering college and assistant teaching professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. “Kids from all over the state come here and get a glimpse, in a really supportive and fun environment, of what engineering can be like.”
Teams from across Montana participate, from Billings, Missoula, Helena and Kalispell, to Fort Benton, Drummond, Eureka and Ronan. The 36 teams that competed in the 2022 tournament were selected from 52 teams statewide that entered the qualifying round, held remotely.
Elser said it’s fulfilling to watch a team grow their skills and teamwork in meetings each Monday after school, but it can be a challenge not to jump in and participate in the fun herself. “I try and be as hands-off as possible, which is the hardest part,” she said. “They get the greater reward by problem-solving on their own.”
In 2023, the program has expanded to include in-person qualifying tournaments hosted in Missoula, Helena, and Billings. The top teams from these qualifiers advance to the championship tournament hosted at Montana State University. According to Evertz, it’s easy to get involved. FIRST Lego League teams for students in grades 4-8 start in the fall by building and programming robots made from Lego kits. They compete by performing “missions” on pool table-sized fields and presenting their robot design and innovation project to a panel of judges. FIRST Tech Challenge contestants, from grades 7-12, compete in a larger arena with more complex robots built from scratch and present their work to judges as well. All FIRST programs provide a great opportunity for young minds in every community to practice the engineering design process from start to finish, Evertz said.
For more information and to get involved with either program, visit these websites:
Montana 4-H offers robotics programs. For more information, check out the following websites or contact your local MSU Extension 4-H agent.
4-H Engineering and Technology
This article was adapted from a 2022 MSU News Service story by Marshall Swearingen.