Seventh and Fifth Grade Robotics Teams Stun at First Lego League Tournament
Calvert Fifth and Seventh Graders shone last Saturday, February 12, during the First Lego League (FLL) Qualifying Tournament at McDonogh School, holding their own against older students and earning the Judges Award, respectively.
The Seventh Grade team -- students Lila S., Caroline M., Forrest M., Will C., Sarah N., Claire S., Liam D., Johanna P., and Vivien W. – submitted an in-depth research project that explored the effects of aquatic sound pollution from cargo ships on large marine mammals. By tournament’s end, the students’ hard work had earned them the Judges Award, a prize that is typically given to teams that impress the panelists outside the major judging categories: robot design and programming, project, and core values.
Middle School teacher Eric Cowell said that he thought the judges particularly appreciated the students’ teamwork throughout the tournament process.
Meanwhile, students on the Fifth Grade team – Alexander B., Saoirse SF., Jackson S., Lily M., Virginia B., Jeswin J., Silas F., Luke F., Quinn D., and Amarachi N. – focused their project on using hydrogen fuel cells to fight global carbon emissions created by global shipping. The Fifth Graders scored higher on robot design and programming and effectively competed against significantly older students.