By Brooke Tidwell, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
Superstorm
Back row, from left – Mentors Kristi and Rean Brooks
Front row, from left – Laura Wilson, Brady Brooks, Nayukpa Ramsey, Levi Brooks and Taylor Harrison
Tiny Techs
From left - Kelly Cooke, Lauren John, Andrea Underwood, Elijah Gibson and Logan Garrett
Not pictured - Mentors Jimpsey Factor and Tom John
The Chickasaw Nation LEGO team, Cybernuts, and Junior LEGO team, Mini Mayhem, each won a Gracious Professionalism Award during Oklahoma's biggest annual FIRST LEGO League tournament in Stillwater, Okla.
This award honors the top team that displays positive team spirit and attitude, teamwork, sportsmanship and encouragement for other teams. Each LEGO team member also received a medal for their hard work and participation.
"The Gracious Professionalism Award is one of the top honors you can receive at a LEGO League event," said Chickasaw Nation Science, Technology and Math manager Sara Willie.
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said he is "very proud" of the students and others involved with the program.
"This award demonstrates that these young students are not only learning about science and technology, they are also learning how to build positive relationships with teammates and competitors," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.
The Chickasaw Nation FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO and Junior LEGO teams participated in the Smart Moves LEGO tournament Saturday, December 12 at Stillwater High School.
Three LEGO teams, Cybernuts, Blockheads and Mechanical Masterminds, and three Junior LEGO teams, Mini Mayhem, Tiny Techs and Superstorm, represented the Chickasaw Nation during the event.
"We are so proud of our LEGO teams," said Chickasaw Nation Science, Technology and Math manager Sara Willie. "The teams performed well and worked really hard during the tournament."
Approximately 30 Junior LEGO students also participated in the tournament by displaying transportation models and presentations. Awards were presented to each Chickasaw team. Superstorm received the Most Creative Award and Tiny Techs received the Most Knowledgeable Award. Each Junior LEGO team member also received a medal for their presentation skills.
The tournament consisted of 50 LEGO teams of students and mentors. Each team displayed problem-solving skills, creative thinking skills, teamwork, competitive play and sportsmanship. During tournament play, the teams program robots to maneuver through an obstacle course designed around the concept of transportation modes.
The LEGO competition was judged in project presentation, robot performance, technical design and programming of the robot and teamwork.
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
