Aspen Middle School Robotics Team wins multiple trophies at inaugural weekend competition

Three groups from the Aspen Middle School Robotics Teams won awards at the inaugural Lego League Challenge at Poudre High School in Fort Collins.

The competition required fourth through eighth graders to build and program LEGO robots, which had to navigate robot game missions. Students also took part in a research project to solve real-world problems, according to the Aspen School District. 

The Lightning Strikes Twice robotics group won the championship — first place for the overall competition, as well as first place out of 40 teams in the Robot Game. They were invited to the State Championship Dec. 7 at University of Colorado Denver. Their team members included Nicco DiMaria, Tamir Finesliver, Sam Gilmore, Ember LaPenna, Lorelei LaPenna, and Hailey Ward. 

Robotics group Steep ‘n Deep won fourth place in the Robot Game. They also won the Judges Award in recognition of their hard work and talent as a first-year team. Their team members included Isla Gilmore, Beck Dorr, Felix Garfield, and Evelyn Van Arsdale.

Robotics group Poached Gears won second place for the Core Value Award. Their team members include Teodora Milinovic, Sunny Guthre, Liam Daniels, Annabella Maupin, Finn Zubrod, Marcel Miracle, and Macsen Hembury. 

The Aspen Middle School Robotics Team is mentored by Will Gilmore and coached by George Helfenstine.