Lego robotics teams seeking company to form competition

Instead of traveling to a state competition, local FIRST Lego League robotics teams are looking to bring a regional qualifying tournament to Yuma County for the first time this November.

Jenny Kaste, a GAP (Gowan Achievement Program) teacher at Rancho Viejo Elementary School and robotics team coach, explained that in order to have a competition in Yuma, eight teams are needed to participate, and so far multiple teams have either formed or are forming at Rancho Viejo Elementary School in addition to those at Centennial, Castle Dome and Crane middle schools.

The FIRST Lego League is a robotics program that helps make science and technology fun for students ranging in age from 9 to 14, and also teaches them valuable employment and life skills.

“Teams, comprised of up to 10 children with at least one adult coach, can also be associated with a pre-existing club or organization, homeschooled, or just be a group of friends who wish to do something awesome,” the program's website stated.

With a goal of 12 to 14 teams for Yuma County, Kaste said that more groups need to form teams in the area. She added that coaches don't have to be an expert in robotics or engineering in order to form a team.

“When I started, I had little to no knowledge of robotics or engineering and all it takes is the desire to run a team,” she said. “If a mom or a dad wants to start a team with their child and their four friends then they can start a team, it doesn't have to be a teacher in a school.”

Kaste shared that local teams are seeking volunteers from the community to help with judging and getting teams organized on the day of the event, as well as event sponsors and local businesses that want to donate to help teams participate.

Sponsors could donate anything from team T-shirts or food to registration funds or travel money for the winning teams that advance on to the next level, she said.

In order to start a team, the group will have to pay $300 for registration and to additionally receive a field set up kit. Kaste added that the actual robot is an additional $400 charge but Arizona Western College is donating robots used by the Yuma Community Gila Monsters robotics team on campus.

The local teams will be partnering with General Motors Desert Proving Ground in Yuma, the Yuma Community Gila Monsters robotics team and state representatives from Arizona State University to make the tournament a success in Yuma.

“For the last two years we've gone out of town for competitions and by having one in Yuma it will be so much nicer, and cheaper,” she said, noting that last year their bus broke down on the way to a competition located in Scottsdale.

This will also be a new experience for those in the community to come out and attend, Kaste said.

“People can come watch even if they want to just learn more about it to see if they want to form a team for the next year,” she said. “We have great expectations for it being a really positive community event and we're really excited about it.”

The local teams will join 200 teams statewide as they take on this year's challenge — “Food Factor.”

“Basically we're looking at how to solve problems with making our food safer and healthier and less contaminated in general,” Kaste said.

Those interested in forming a team, volunteering or sponsoring can contact Kaste at 580-5526 or Elizabeth Lother at 261-9086.

Visit www.firstlegoleague.org for more information about the worldwide program.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858.