GERSTELL ACADEMY
LEADERSHIP • HONOR • COURAGE

Middle School Robotics Teams Compete in First Lego League Challenge

Three middle school robotics teams competed in the FLL (First Lego League) Challenge Maryland Qualifier: Battle of the Beltway on Saturday, January 18th, at St. Paul’s School. Students competed in four categories: robot design, innovation project, core values and the robot game. The theme for the 2024-25 year is Submerged, where students learned and studied engineering challenges related to our oceans. 

The 8 Bit Bosses won a finalist award in Core Values – where they demonstrated outstanding character even in the face of competition.  Additionally, the 8 Bit Bosses, The Flying Falcons and Coding Kings received positive feedback from the judges and scored well in the competition. Ms. Megan Jothen, Director of Instructional Technology oversees the program and is assisted by lower school robotics coach and faculty member Ms. Nicole Pugh.  Parent and Director of Transportation Mrs. Dana Miller also helped at the Saturday competition.  Gerstell robotics parent, Mr. Charlie Jenkins, assisted the Coding Kings with rebuilding their robot’s front drive after inconsistent performance during the first round of competition.  

Gerstell robotics offers students the opportunity to practice critical thinking, teamwork, overcoming adversity, and competition, all core values related to the leadership curriculum. 
 
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