News : Shellsburg Lego League teams earn variety of honors

Shellsburg Elementary students participated in a Lego League Competition on Saturday, December 6th. Lego League is an educational program designed for middle school students where the students try to solve a real world problem and build a robot out of Legos to program. There are three main parts of Lego League: robotics/computer programming, a research project, and learning to work cooperatively and professionally in a team. For the project, students are researching new ways to learn about different topics. The Lemonheads received an award for their Project Presentation. This team's project centered around how to improve the way students learn computer programming. Their solution was to create a hands-on website that teaches students how to easily learn computer programming concepts. Their website includes step-by-step instructions with levels for beginner, intermediate, and advanced.The team members include Isaac Stadelmann, Elsa Page, Natalie Armstrong, Caroline Erickson, and Jozee White. The Lightning Strikers received an honorable mention award for their Innovative Project Solution. This team designed a chemical-proof protective case for computers. The team thought that this invention would help high school students improve the way they learn about Chemistry. Using their invention, the Chemo-Case, chemistry students would be able to use their computers in the lab without fear of ruining them with chemicals. The Lightning Strikers contacted the high school chemistry teacher, Brent Patterson, and a company that produces chemical-resistant gloves to help with their solution. The team members include Kinzzy Miracle, Leah Hendrickson, Kale Schulte, Brynn Patterson, and Tyler Cromer. T.E.A.M. (short for Tough Excited Awesome Makers) received a Rising Star Award. This award recognizes a team that the judges notice and expect great things from in the future. TEAM researched a new technology called Oculus Rift and how it could be used in education. Their idea was to virtually visit other countries using Oculus in order to feel like they were really there. The team members include Ella Hainey, Hayden Langham, Maximo Vasquez, Matti Thomsen, Alex Guenther, Megan Hendrickson, and Raeganne Neilson. The Techno-age received medals for their hard work in research and robotics. Their research examined ways to improve how young students learn about technology topics. The team interviewed an IT Technician to gain an understanding of common technology problems. Then Techno-age developed an app with games, lesson plans, and videos. The app is called Time for Techno. They tested it with first grade students at Shellsburg Elementary. Team members include Graham Henkle, Dawson Sturtz, Tess Lillibridge, Kate Hyland, Samantha Walton, and Katie Murdock.