JEDC's STEM Program Coordinates 2012 Robotics Tournaments in Fairbanks and Anchorage

For the past four months, more than 1,000 students across Alaska have been designing, building, and testing robots in preparation for regional and statewide tournaments. The most recent event in Alaska's FIRST© LEGO© League season was the Tanana Valley Robot Rally, which took place on Saturday, February 4 at Fairbanks's Ryan Middle School.

Organized in two divisions (FLL for grades 4-8 and Jr. FLL for grades K-3, this open championship included practice matches and judging sessions in the morning, followed by match competition in the afternoon -- always the most exciting event for the many spectators who attend these events free of charge. Tournament champions go on to compete in national and international competition, and adjudicated awards are given in such categories as Team Spirit, Rising Star, Young Adult Mentor, and Against All Odds.

On Saturday, January 21st, more than 50 teams converged on Anchorage for the annual Anchorage Robot Rendezvous. Unable to compete in the Anchorage tournament because they were grounded in Juneau by weather, five teams from Southeast Alaska participated in a last-minute, informal tournament in Juneau. Of those teams, Juneau's Brickipedia team will compete in Fairbanks this weekend and, thanks to GCI, teams from Skagway and Metlakatla will participate via videoconference.

For pictures and results from the events, visit www.fllalaska.com/flltournaments/2012Rally or http://www.fllalaska.com/flltournaments/2012Rendezvous