The excitement around school this year is about our new robotics club. In September, interested students participated in a selection process and then under the guidance of Mrs. Stacey Meyer, they quickly moved into preparing for competition in the Lighthouse/Schooner Qualifier at St. Patrick Catholic High School on January 25. The HTCS IgKnights (Innovative , Godly, Knights) are comprised of two teams. Team Blue consists of 5th graders Keith Childs, Addison Dickinson, Patrick Glover, Georgie Maggio, and Jackson Timberlake. Sixth graders Karson Benigno, Emily Burney, Audra Freeman, and Cameron Ross make up Team Yellow. Special thanks to sixth grader, Cameron Ross, for the design of our team logo. 

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Throughout weeks of trial and error, planning and re-planning, the IgKnights have applied science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to solve a real-world problem, as well as designing, building, and programming LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots to perform autonomous missions on a themed playing field. Team members have also designed innovative solutions to a real-world problem inspired by the theme. Not only are team members developing critical thinking skills and team building skills, but also self-confidence in the application of math, science and technology; learning to handle failures; and focusing on perseverance. 

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According to FIRST LEGO League, every year a three-part challenge is released on a real-world scientific topic. This year's challenge, City Shaper Challenge, includes the Robot Game, the Innovation Project, and the Core Values. Our team members were challenged to help shape the best future possible for everyone. During the January qualifier, teams will present a poster that displays their teamwork. The Robot Game will challenge teams to design, build, and program a LEGO Robot, as well as complete missions in a 2:30 time span. The Innovation Project allows teams to recognize a problem within their communities and then design a solution for it. Team Blue focused on creating The Barking Lot, which is a bank of self-service outdoor dog kennels placed int eh heart of town where locals and tourists can safely leave their dogs for short term periods of time while they shop or dine. Team Yellow solved the problem of scenic views being blocked by development with the Project-a-View. This innovative design would allow the use of a high definition camera to project real time images of the view being blocked by development and project it onto the view on the back side of the building.

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We are very blessed to have Mrs. Meyer and her love of FIRST LEGO League at Holy Trinity. We appreciate her enthusiasm and commitment to our students. We wish our IgKnights luck as they compete for the first time at St. Patrick