Front row (from left): Oliver Wolcott (7), Ale Tovar (6), Ryan Joseph (6), and John Cavanaugh (7) Back row (left to right): Dylan Danaie (6), Liam White (6), Antos Wellisz (7), and Victor Aldridge (7). Not pictured: Alex Toner (8). Photo Contributed
The Woods Academy Robotics teams, the OwlBots and the Green Machine, participated on Dec. 6 at the FIRST Lego League (FLL) Qualifier held at Glen Elg Country School in Ellicott City. 21 teams competed. The OwlBots were one of only four teams to survive that Qualifier and advance to the FLL Maryland State Championship, which will be held in February at UMBC in Catonsville. Since the 2009-2010 school year, The Woods inaugural Robotics season, at least one Woods robotics team has competed at the FLL Maryland State Championship.
The OwlBots scored better than all other teams in all three of the judging categories – research, robot design, and core values. The 2014 FLL World Class: Learning Unleashed theme compels teams to teach adults about the ways that youths need and want to learn. The OwlBots' skit was an infomercial for a revolutionary new device to enhance the study of history and geography. The Green Machine conceived of a locker organizer.