The two LMS Robotics teams, from Lincoln Middle School in Mt. Prospect, Illinois were well represented at the Illinois FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Northern Championship Tournament (NCT), held January 16 at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois.  LMS Robotics Teams, Team 492, Department of Detritus and Team 493, Geekosks, were among 64 teams from the northern region competing in the daylong event showcasing the work all the teams accomplished since late August, when this years’ Challenge, Trash Trek, was announced. 

At the Illinois FLL Northern Championship Tournament, teams are judged in 3 separate areas: 

• Project - In this years’ challenge, teams are tasked with coming up with a way to make less trash or improve the way people handle the trash they make and developing a unique solution.  The solution should add value to society by improving an existing solution or inventing a completely new solution. Teams present their solution in a 5 minute presentation to a panel of judges, followed with a 5 minute question and answer session. 
• Core Values - Teams are given an on the spot challenge by a panel of judges and have 5 minutes to solve this challenge as a team. The challenge is followed with a five minute question and answer session, with a focus on how the team members used the FLL Core Values during the course of their Competition Season.  
• Robot Design - Teams present their unique robots to a panel of judges, explaining the design elements, factors  considered while developing and mission strategy, with a focus on the mechanical design, robot programming and overall design processes.  

Teams also compete in four Robot performance rounds, using an autonomous robot, designed, built and programmed by the team.  On the Trash Trek Robot Competition field all the teams attempt to score as many points as possible in a match lasting 2:30. 

Team 492, The Department of Detritus, advanced to the NCT by winning the Robot Design Award at the Mount Prospect “A” Qualifier Tournament, held on December 5, 2015.  At the NCT, they were awarded the 2nd Place Champions Award. The Champions Award recognizes teams that embody the FIRST LEGO League experience, by fully embracing the Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in both the Robot Game and Project. The Department of Detritus scored 527 points in the Robot performance rounds, putting them in 7th place out of the 64 teams competing. 

Department of Detritus team members include: 8th Graders Mackenzie M., John J., Alex J., and Paul M., 7th Graders Caitlin K. and Sam B., and 6th Graders, Joey D., Nick G., Lea C. and Claire G. The team is coached by Mr. Jamie Beedy and Mr. David Roe. 

Team 493, Geekosks, advanced to the Northern Championship Tournament by winning the highest award given, the Champions Award, at the Mount Prospect “B” Qualifier Tournament, held on December 5, 2015. . At the NCT, they were awarded the Teamwork Award. This award recognizes the team able to accomplish more together than they could as individuals through shared goals, strong communication, effective problem solving and excellent time management. In the Robot performance, the Geekosks finished in 27th place with a high score of 411 points. 

Geeksosk team members include: 8th Graders Ben P., Kyle E., Jack D. and Tommie M.; 7th Graders Charlie S. and Claire G.; and 6th graders Maeve M., Nick D., Joey E. and Julia J. The team is coached by Mrs. Kerry Molina and Mr. Jason Domke. 

LMS Robotics is a school based team from Lincoln Middle School in Mount Prospect, Illinois sponsored by 7th grade Science and Social Studies teacher, Ms. Kristen Kaage and school principal, Mr. Jason Kaiz. This is the 10th consecutive year at least one team of the two school teams has advanced to the FLL Illinois State Finals. 

For more information about the LMS Robotics Program, visit lmsrobotics.org.