GM Bowler robotics hits the road

By ISAAC LINFORD

The Progress

The Grant Bowler Elementary School girls robotics team, the Bowler Dazzle Bots, competed in an international competition in Long Beach California on May 31-June 2.

The team had secured an invite to this prestigious Western Edge Invitational after its 3rd place finish in the Nevada State First Lego League (FLL) competition. It was the second time the team had attended the State FLL competition.

The girls worked diligently this year preparing for the event and ended up winning the Core Values Champion award. This award recognizes only three teams out of all 82 teams in attendance. These two runner up teams and one Champion were selected based on their display of the 6 FLL core values in all aspects of the competition.

The 6 core values are Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Team Work, Fun, and Inclusion. Competitors also must be able to practice Gracious Professionalism throughout the 3-day competition, which they did by showcasing high quality work while being respectful and encouraging to other teams and individuals.

These values were displayed by the all-girl team during the robot games, in the development of the innovation project and judging, and throughout all aspects of the team’s journey in order to win the Core values Champion award.

The FLL Western Edge Invitational included teams from 20 different countries and from across the United States. These 82 teams at the three-day event showcased their achievements and knowledge from the past year during the robot game Masterpiece. In this game, robots and teams work together to achieve unique tasks to earn points, centered around art.

“Because of the international age rules, it is difficult for our young team to compete against the older kids in the robot game,” said Dazzle Bots coach Denise Hoy. “But I am so proud of the award our team was able to receive as these core values will help the girls achieve great things in their future.”

The girls received high marks in the Innovation aspect of the competition. Additionally, they worked hard to put together 7 Sensory Art Kits that will be distributed throughout the district next school year. These kits will be used by the visually impaired teachers/aids so that students with visual impairments can participate in and enjoy creating art.

“It has been an honor to coach such an amazing group of girls,” Hoy said. “I hope the experiences gained this year can help the girls as they go forward, recognizing that they can do hard things and succeed if they are willing to put in the hard work.”