Old Mill Middle South
We are a: Volunteer Program, Old Mill Middle South | 2019 Exemplary Program
FIRST Lego League challenges students to think like scientists and engineers and epitomizes project-based learning. This highly interactive robotics program requires students to create robots and use coding skills to complete specific challenges on a timed basis. Teams build, test, and program an autonomous robot using Lego Mindstorms technology to solve a set of missions. To add to the learning and the fun, teams are also asked to choose and solve a real-life problem related to the mission and a complete a formal team presentation to share their ideas. This year’s theme was space exploration.
As you can imagine, such an undertaking requires dedication and leadership. Fortunately, husband and wife team, Jennifer and Christof Flaherty took the reins and, in collaboration with STEM Department Chair Marie Hartman, offered this amazing club to all interested Old Mill Middle South students. Two teams of students emerged and met every Monday night from 6:30- 8 pm to prepare for the First Lego League competition at Bowie State University. The teams successfully exhibited the FIRST signature set of Core Values — celebrating discovery, teamwork, and gracious professionalism — and plan to compete again next year.
The impact of this program is best described by one of our FLL Club students, Portia: “FLL is a fun, creative and challenging way to learn robotics. Our team learned how to work together in competition and problem solve. I love robots!”
