Both Team Oasis and Team Bighorns are advancing to the Northern Nevada Championship round in the First Lego League Challenge Division. The teams competed on Saturday, December 3 for the initial round.
The Lego robotics program at Oasis is lead by Mrs. Kathy Keitz with Assistant Coaches Mr. John Keitz and Mrs. Sarah Frey. Mr. Keitz coaches the team on the computer aspects of the program and Mrs. Frey coaches the teams on the Core Values portion of the competition.
Along with advancing, Team Bighorns won the Motivation Award for excelling on their Innovation Project. The project included a presentation focused on using Helium 3 harvested from the moon for clean renewable energy.
Mrs. Keitz received the Coaches Award. According to the First Lego League website, the award is presented to the Coach that “inspires their teams to do their best, both as individuals and together, and without them, there would be no FIRST LEGO League. This award goes to the coach or mentor whose leadership and guidance is clearly evident and best exemplifies the FIRST Core Values.”
“We are so proud of the teams and Mrs. Keitz! They have worked hard and come so far in a few short years. They definitely deserved this win!” added Chief Academic Officer Rochelle Tisdale.
Team Bighorns had two Veteran members Gabriel Keener and Cristian Keener (both 8th graders) who were captains. Team Bighorns had students from 5th through 8th grade. This was the first year competing for all of Team Oasis. This group of all fifth graders is captained by Penelope Doyen and Zayden Maynez.
“I enjoy having Mrs. Keitz as my Lego Robotics teacher because she’s helpful, fun, and enjoys teaching us! I look forward to her helping us get ready for our next competition,” said Team Bighorns Captain Zayden Maynez.
The regional competition is scheduled for Saturday, February 4 in Carson City.