It was a cold and snowy morning, but 48 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams braved the weather last Saturday to join in the fun at the FLL Massachusetts State Championship, hosted by the LigerBots at Newton North High School. Nearly 300 students thought like real-life scientists and engineers, competing with LEGO robots they had built, tested and programmed themselves, and presenting projects that defined and solved real world problems centered on this year’s theme, “Animal Allies.”

The projects showcased an impressively wide range of solutions to animal-based problems, including the use of rodents for search and rescue missions, the creation of an app and sensor to warn of heat stroke in dogs, and the invention of a floating, automatic fish feeder that was actually adopted by a local fish hatchery.

Newton, the host city, sent four teams: The Snowy Owls, the Botanists, the Day Dragons, and Block Party. The Botanists took home second place in Robot Strategy & Innovation, and Block Party received second place in Gracious Professionalism!

The LigerBots also opened the doors of Newton North to many local companies so they could showcase their amazing products at a mini maker fair, and also hosted First Robotics Team 5422, Stormgears, who demonstrated their robot alongside the LigerBots in a robot zoo.

This was the largest competition the LigerBots have hosted to date, with about 800 volunteers, judges, mentors, and spectators cheering the FLL teams on. Dozens of LigerBots staffed every aspect of the event, devoting many hours to setting up, guiding teams through their day, leading a line dancing party before the awards ceremony, and putting Newton North High School back into shape after it was all over.

Many thanks to all teams, judges, and exhibitors for their contributions to yet another successful LigerBots-run event.

Written by Javid Kasraie