EVMS LEGO Robotics Team invited to national, international competitions

Building a champion is no small task, especially when working with LEGOs.

But that's exactly what Eagle Valley Middle School's LEGO Robotics Team has done this year.

Members of the "Jedi Engineers" have received invitations to the First LEGO League World Festival in Houston, Texas, next month as well as the International Championship in Bath, England this summer.

"We are stunned, overwhelmed and excited," the team said.

This followed a First Place Champion's Award at the Northern Nevada First LEGO League Championship held in Reno.

"It means so much to me for us to be able to go to not only world festival but also international competition," said team member Emmanuel Alvarez. "I think that it is so cool that such a small community team can make it as far as we have. I am just so excited and I can't wait to meet a lot of people from around the world."

Team advisor Lisa Stocke-Koop said what makes the Jedi Engineers' title more extraordinary is that they failed to qualify for the championship outright at a district tournament hosted by EVMS in December. But because the team scored high in every category, it was placed into the championship as an alternate.

"Without any guarantees that they would be placed in the championship tournament they took home the field kit and robot," she said. "Over their Winter Break there was a complete robot redesign, build and programming."

The results spoke for themselves. Give these Jedis an inch, and they'll take a mile.

"Our team has had quite the roller coaster of a season," said Stocke-Koop, EVMS STEM Lab Facilitor and Leadership Advisor. "The students have worked so hard. They kept working and improving."

Now the next round of hard work is set to begin as the team fund-raises to afford trips to its two prestigious invitationals.

"To get there we have to get plane tickets, pay a registration fee, ship things, get hotels, and pay for food," the team said. "This is a once in Lifetime opportunity for our team."

The team said the total cost of the Houston trip is about $16,000 and requiring some serious Force work in the community.

A raffle, silent auction and bake sale were held recently at the EVMS STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Night last week.

Next up is a pasta luncheon drive-through provide by the Olive Garden of Carson City at EVMS this Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. A yard sale will also be taking place the same day at EVMS from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both events are fundraisers for the Jedi Engineers.

Finally, there will be a Flapjack Fundraiser April 8 at Applebee's on South Carson Street.

"This is a huge opportunity for our community because we have never been to a competition like this and it will be so exciting," said team member Bryar Fancher. "There are teams competing from all over the world. I am so excited to have this opportunity and I am so proud of my team and I for working so hard to get to the point we are at, and we still are working really hard."

Sponsorships are also available for individuals or businesses who wish to make monetary donations to help the team meet its fundraising goals.

"Any sponsors will have their name on our sponsor banner that we are taking with us," the team said.

The 2016-17 Jedi Engineers are made up of five eighth-graders and one seventh-grade team member: Kai Miller, Emmanuel Alvarez, Cash Farnworth, Ryan Cooley, Nevan McIlwee, and Bryar Fancher.

The are coached by Stocke-Koop, Eric Fancher and Jason Koop.

The First LEGO League is a three-prong competition, the team said, involving the construction and programming a Lego robot to accomplish specific tasks on the provided field. Teams are also given a problem to research and solve innovatively.

Teams are required to reach out into their communities and to speak with experts and share these results.

The third prong of the competition is the Core Values, which means demonstrating integrity and displaying gracious professionalism.

"They continued to practice and improve their project," Stocke-Koop said. "They reached out to the community, shared and learned."

For the coaching staff, the invitations to Houston and England are the fruits of the team's labor before, during and after competitions.

Stocke-Koop said the Jedis were the only team to stay and clean up the entire EVMS gym after the December qualifying tournament, an action that spoke volumes about their commitment to the Core Values.

"This is a team that has shown a level of integrity, hope and optimism that is rarely seen at their age," she said. "Working with this group of students is a true joy."

She said this year's Jedi Engineers are true trailblazers for future teams representing EVMS.

"This has been a history-making year for them," she said. "I am so proud of these students. They set a goal for themselves, and worked so hard to meet it. They demonstrated 21st century problem solving, communication and programming skills. I am excited to see what they will do with their future. They are all definitely world changers."