Reavis Robotics Rocks!

By Maureen Kelleher/LISC Chicago

The Reavis robotics team brought home one of the five top awards in the Chicago South regional tournament of Illinois’ First LEGO League, held in December.

Students built their robots from LEGO pieces, motors and sensors. Photo: Jenny DeLessio-Parson

The First LEGO League (FLL) is an international organization promoting science and technology for youth through robotics competition and related research. FLL teams compete for awards in five categories; Reavis won in the Teamwork category.

“I couldn’t have been more proud,” said coach Jenny DeLessio-Parson. The award had special meaning at Reavis, where LISC/Chicago's Elev8 programs have been teaching team-building and related skills for two years.

FLL’s 2009 competition theme was “Smart Move,” focusing on safe, effective and sustainable transportation. Reavis students researched CTA bus safety by surveying their peers. Survey data indicated violence at the bus stop is a problem, and they created a flyer to promote more neighborhood watches in the community as a possible solution.

Tquerria Miller, Damarcus Fisher, India Hamberlin and Titiana Parris put the finishing touches on their robot shortly before the competition. Photo: Jenny DeLessio-Parson

For the robotics competition, Reavis students worked together to build a robot from LEGO pieces, motors and sensors. Using a computer programming system, they programmed the robot to complete various “missions”— tasks like raising a lever or moving an object from one point to another.

“I'm glad that they were able to learn a few things about robots, research, and technology, but I'm also thrilled that they bonded so well as a team,” said DeLessio-Parson.