The plastic interlocking blocks are a mainstay in any kid's home, but in the hands of students of Bedford Public Schools' Temperance Road Elementary, Legos are also the key to statewide recognition.
The school's FIRST Lego League robotics team placed fourth out of 48 teams during a recent Michigan state championship competition. Known as the Techno Tigers, the team of students in fourth through eighth grades worked together not only to create a working robot but also to identify and solve a problem using science and technology.
"This is the highest Bedford finish since we had a team that won the state competition in 2002," said Debbie May, a Bedford Junior High School math teacher and district robotics coordinator. "… The ultimate goal is to get kids fired up about math, science, and engineering, and to try to get more students interested in careers in those fields."
An acronym for First Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology, FIRST Lego League holds competition made up of three parts: the robot game, the project, and the "FLL core values."
According to the organization's Web site, teams participate in the challenge by programming an autonomous robot to score points and developing a solution to a problem associated with food. Throughout the competition, the students are also judged on core values, which involve how students help each other as well as other teams.
Erin Hirsch, a fourth-grade teacher and the Techno Tigers' coach, said she was especially proud of her students' accomplishments in winning a first-place trophy for gracious professionalism. The award recognized the team for how it helped others, acted graciously and professionalally, and served as leaders.
"That's the trophy you really want your kids to earn," she said.
A co-coach with her husband, Ken, Mrs. Hirsch said she began the Techno Tigers about seven years ago. The program has grown to three teams of 10 at Temperance Road Elementary.
The school also has Junior FIRST Lego League teams made up of first through third graders. These teams attend exhibitions in which they, too, build robots and tackle real-world challenges, albeit more simplistic versions.
Bedford High School senior Shelby Beavers, 17, is a mentor for one of the junior teams and a co-captain of her high school team. A participant on a robotics team since fourth grade, Shelby said she has always been a math-minded student but particularly enjoys the teamwork and problem-solving aspects of the program.
She credits her robotics teams for helping her gain self-confidence. Now, she enjoys mentoring younger students and watching them gain confidence. And while she personally is interested in a career in engineering, she said the program helps students build life skills that can be used in any profession.
"It's a fun way for kids to learn about math and science without doing worksheets," she said. "… I think it just gives you, especially the high school team, the ability to explore [math, science, and technology] more and relate it to real life."
Mark Thomas Damazyn, a sophomore at Bedford High School and a mentor to the Techno Tigers, said he thinks robotics are "freakin' awesome."
"The benefits of being on a Lego team as a member and a mentor are big," he said. "You learn to speak up and speak out as in being able to talk to people, talk in front of people, learn what the meaning of a team and teamwork is. You become family. … Robotics give you self-esteem, self-confidence, and social skills. Most of all, Legos are fun."
The Techno Tigers first won a regional challenge before participating in the Dec. 3 state championship in White Lake, Mich.
Participation on the team is extracurricular and the students meet after school and on weekends.
Mrs. Hirsch said that although the Lego robots usually draw students into the program, the research projects and problem-solving aspects of the competition often help generate the most satisfaction.
"It's really kind of cool to watch kids try to solve the problems that will one day be their problems," Mrs. Hirsch said. "It asks big things out of small kids."
Contact Erica Blake at: eblake@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.
First Published December 14, 2011, 5:15 a.m.