Students explore building blocks of learning at robotics festival – Duluth News Tribune
DULUTH — Twenty-two local elementary school teams from the Duluth and Hermantown areas had a chance to show off their skills with robotics at the St. Louis County Depot on Saturday for the FIRST Lego League Explore Festival.
“It’s kind of their last hurrah,” said Patrick Mulcahy, board president, treasurer and coach with 3D Robotics Duluth. “Some teams might have met, starting in September, but most teams met in January and this is kind of like their culmination event.”
The event, hosted by 3D Robotics Duluth, featured teams made up of kindergarten through third graders that participated in two waves. Each team presented their motorized models and “Show Me” posters in a judging session designed to give constructive feedback and encouragement for the young science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) explorers.
“This is more, instead of a tournament, it’s like a science fair,” said Mulcahy. “They’re super excited for this time here. Registration didn’t open until 12:30 p.m., but we had teams that started here at 11:45 a.m. because they were just super-excited to be here and show everyone what they’re doing.”
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Three sets of judges went around to watch the presentations, meet the teams and ask about their robot journey. Judges included middle and high school-aged students as well as adult mentors.
“Our mission with 3D Robotics Duluth is to try to get as many kids exposed to STEM as possible,” said Mulcahy. “By starting kids out younger, it’s when they are really super excited to try all sorts of different things, whether that’s a sport or starting to get involved in music or with robots here. The hope is that once they leave third grade that they want to keep going and come up to a challenge team.”
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
FIRST Lego League Explore in Minnesota is part of an international robotics program that includes teams from 13 countries. Designed for K-3 students, teams work together to discover how science and technology impact the world around them. Under the guidance of adult coaches, teams work with Lego elements to build a motorized model and create a Show Me poster related to their research based on a yearly theme. This year’s theme is called Masterpiece and focuses on the arts.
Getting kids exposed to STEM can open up a new world, said Mulcahy. He also said they’re always looking for potential coaches, even ones without expert robotics knowledge.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
“Anybody and I mean, anybody can coach a kindergarten to third grader on how to program at this level. It’s super easy, there’s a booklet that is laid out for you.”
For more on 3D Robotics Duluth, visit
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Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson joined the Duluth News Tribune in June 2021 where he’s involved in digital content such as video, photos and podcasts as well as covering breaking news. Previously, he worked in television broadcasting as a Sports Director/Anchor at WDIO-TV in Duluth, Sports Director/Anchor in Bismarck, N.D., News and Sports Anchor at KSAX-TV in Alexandria, and Reporter/Photographer/Editor with the syndicated show “Life to the Max” in Eden Prairie. He was also the Development Director for the Duluth Salvation Army. Williamson grew up in Alexandria, graduated from St. Cloud State University and has lived in Duluth since 2012.
