ALMS Robotics Team Achieves Historic Success, Heads to Regional Competition
The Albert Leonard Middle School Lego Robotics Team celebrated an historic achievement at the First Lego League (FLL) Mid-Hudson Qualifier Tournament, held at the French American School in Mamaroneck last month.
Out of 23 competing teams, ALMS secured first place in the Core Values (Teamwork) category and third place overall in the tournament.
“This is the best finish we’ve ever had in the 20 years of the robotics program,” said Stephen G. May, ALMS Technology Education teacher and robotics coach, alongside his co-coach, Tech Ed teacher Walter Grosvenor.
This year’s FLL theme focused on Oceanography, with teams competing in four categories that tested their skills in building and programming robots capable of completing specific missions, while also showcasing teamwork, innovation, and communication. The ALMS team’s project centered on biomimicry, designing a remotely and human-operated submersible capable of withstanding the extreme pressures at the deepest parts of the ocean. Their submersible would collect valuable marine life and artifacts for further study and preservation.
The team, made up of 7th graders Bryce Gourley, Alex Babu, Colgate Woodley, Charlie Heller, and Gabriel DiPiazza, will now represent the Mid-Hudson Valley at the New York State Regional Tournament this weekend at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.