Students ready their robots
Though Styx was a popular band two decades before they were born, "Mr. Roboto" is the theme song at Elgin's DaVinci Academy this week.
Two teams of fifth- through eighth-graders will compete Saturday in the Illinois First LEGO League robotics tournament, held at Forest View Fieldhouse in Arlington Heights.
"Legolicious" and "The Blue Cows" teams advanced to the state tournament after placing in first and third places at a December regional tournament in Batavia.
This weekend's competition is divided into four parts.
Student teams must give three presentations each to judges, followed by a 2½-minute robot competition.
Robots, tasked with moving and collecting objects, are scored on accuracy and speed.
As part of their presentations, students were asked to select a local building to study and recommend actions for improved energy efficiency.
"The Blue Cows" have spent the past few months studying the planned new green branch of the Gail Borden Library in Elgin.
"We found some things they could improve on," said eighth-grader Alex Pankhurst of St. Charles.
"Using compact fluorescent light bulbs and installing window films and maybe a wind turbine could save them hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy use," he said.
Saturday's competition will be the culmination of nearly half a school year of work. Eighth-grader James Bartusek of Geneva estimated that he spent about six hours each week working on his team's robot mission and presentations.
"It's been fun but it's been tiring at the same time," he said.
If students place in Saturday's competition, they'll win the opportunity to participate in an international robotics competition in Atlanta in April.
However they fare, DaVinci teacher and robotics coach Peter Laimins said he's "very, very proud of these kids for taking ownership of the projects themselves. There's been a lot of teamwork and coming together despite age differences, and without any prompting."
Illinois First LEGO League State Robotics Tournament
Where: Forest View Fieldhouse, 2121 Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights
When: Saturday and Sunday
Cost: Free
Info: (847) 875-0166