March 19, 2024

NCS Lego Masters headed to state again

Newton Christian team qualified at Dec. 6 regional

Newton Christian School’s First Lego League robotics team, the NCS Lego Masters, was recognized for their teamwork and innovation at one of the league’s recent 2014-15 regional qualifying tournaments.

The Lego Masters took first place at the 28-team qualifier, held Dec. 6 at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. The team advances to the state championship competition, set to be held at Iowa State University in Ames on Jan. 17.

The robotics competition league pits teams against each other, as they craft and pilot robots built entirely out of Lego blocks.

“We’re very proud of our FLL team for once again earning a spot at the state competition,” said Mary Patterson, Newton Christian School’s Dean of Students. “Our students and coaches are very dedicated and put in a lot of hours to prepare for competition. This is our fifth time in six years competing at state, which is a testament to the team’s innovation and hard work.”

The Lego Masters’ took home both the first-place Champion’s Award and the first-place Robot Performance Award from the Dec. 6 regional. Newton Christian’s opponents were teams comprised of students ages 9 to 14.

Each September, the league’s teams are given a particular challenge, or theme, to use for regionals. This year’s challenge, “FLL World Class,” called for teams to research and present their own creative solutions to one of today’s most relevant topics: the future of learning.

Teams were judged in four areas: project presentation; robot performance; technical design and programming of the robot; and teamwork, with a consideration of the FLL core values.

The NCS Lego Masters team members are T.J. Barwegen, Jon Breckenridge, Treycen Garton, Brayden Koon, Peter Larson, Sarah Malsom, Parker Schnell, and Cade Smith. They are coached by Wes Breckenridge and Steve Larson.

To learn more about Newton Christian School and its Lego League program, call the school at 641-792-1924 or visit www.newtonchristianschool.com/first.cfm.