The Leggo My Lego team of Robbinsdale Area Schools took top honors at the regional First® Lego® League tournament, placing first out of 32 teams.  The tournament was held on December 2^nd at Edgewood Middle School in Mounds View. 

The team earned a handful of other awards as well, including first in head-to-head robot run, first in robot programming, first in robot design, second in research and second in core values.  The team is made up of Plymouth Middle School students Drew Carlson, Parker Erickson, and Elise Gallup; Robbinsdale Middle School student Cole Ashley-Grochowski, Armstrong High School freshman Ben Gallup, and Providence Academy student Evan Condon. The team is coached by Paul Gallup and Paul Carlson.  

The team had a frustrating start, but persevered.  “None of the robot programs were working, and [the team] could not come up with a project idea that everyone could agree on,” explained Coach Gallup.  “But they continued to work very hard, putting in extra time over and above what was scheduled, and things started to fall into place.  They did a fantastic job!”

Because of this impressive win, the team heads to the Minnesota state First Lego League tournament in February. First® Lego® League is part of High Tech Kids, a nonprofit organization that helps students build confidence, create opportunities and thrive in the 21^st century.  For more information about MN First® Lego®, visit www.hightechkids.org.