By Brooke Tidwell, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
The Chickasaw Nation FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO and Junior LEGO teams will soon participate in Oklahoma’s biggest annual FIRST LEGO League tournament December 12 at Stillwater High School in Stillwater, Okla.
The LEGO “Smart Moves” Challenge calls for teams of nine to 14-year-olds to research and present creative solutions to one of today’s most relevant topics - gaining efficiency in transportation systems.
“Our goal is to provide a fun, hands on experience which will have a positive and long lasting impact on their lives and careers,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “We hope this experience will give these young people a new appreciation for the creative application of science and technology.”
The Chickasaw Nation has three FIRST LEGO teams for Chickasaw students ages nine to 14 participating in the tournament.
“Our LEGO league program has really grown this year,” said Chickasaw Nation Division of Education administrator Lisa John. “The teams have worked really hard and we are looking forward to a great tournament.”
The teams have been gearing up for the robotic tournament where 50 teams of students and mentors will demonstrate problem-solving skills, creative thinking, teamwork, competitive play, sportsmanship and sense of community. The students will program robots for tournament play to explore the growing questions around how to make transportation more efficient.
The LEGO competition is judged in project presentation, robot performance, technical design and programming of the robot and teamwork. The highest honor will go to the team that best exemplifies the spirit and values of the program.
The LEGO league teams are the Blockheads, Cybernuts and Mechanical Masterminds. Team members for the Blockheads are Daniel Carpenter, Avery Logan, Bailee McCurdy, Jason Morgan, Jalen Underwood, Chelsea Wedlow, Savannah Weems and Nathaniel West. Team members for the Cybernuts are Lauren Burden, Tyla Carpenter, Brooke Colungo, Levi Hinson, Madyson Mitchell, Caleb Scott, Brandon Stephens, Jordan Stick, and Garrett Wampler. Team members for Mechanical Masterminds are Courtney Burris, Patrick Cooke, Chase Horton, Roudee Humpers, Brady Jarrett, Winter Stephens, Joshua Tingle, Taylor Weems and Thirkiel Wedlow.
The tournament also includes 30 Junior FIRST LEGO team participants displaying LEGO models and research projects. Junior FIRST LEGO League is geared toward six–to- nine-year-olds, introducing them to the wonders of science and technology through traditional, open-ended LEGO building. Three Junior LEGO Chickasaw Nation teams are participating in the Junior LEGO events.
The Junior LEGO league teams are Super Storm, Tiny Techs and Mini Mayhem. Super Storm team members are Brody Brooks, Levi Brooks, Taylor Harrison, Nayukpa Ramsey, Drew Varnado, Colton Wilson and Laura Wilson. Team members for Tiny Techs are Kelly Cooke, Elijah Gibson, Logan Jarrett, Lauren John and Andrea Underwood. Mini Mayhem team members are Sean Cooke, Sunzie Harrison, Heath Hook, Carly Horton, Matthew McAngus, Micah Postoak and Keith Taylor.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a national organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989. The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs. Through FIRST, students gain engineering and technology skills, inspire innovation and develop self-confidence, communication and leadership skills.
For more information about FIRST and the LEGO teams, contact Sara Willie at 580-421-7711 or sara.willie@chickasaw.net
