The FIRST LEGO League Challenge is an international competition organized by FIRST for elementary and middle school students. Each year in August, FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams are introduced to a scientific and real-world challenge for teams to focus and do research on these issues.

After our stellar performance at State in 2023–2024 where we took 3rd place, we competed at Worlds in Houston, Texas.

Team Members: Isaac Ruddell (7th), Miles Pierce (7th), Asher Pederson (7th), Claire Daulton (7th), Addison Perry (8th), and Yana Loverich (8th). Coach: CJ Perry.

Their Innovation Project

Their project brings sight to Visually Impaired people by using AI to explain pictures using language other than color. It was originally designed using Scratch coding, specifically for art museums, but then they transformed it into JAVASCRIPT and AI for everyday life.

An Amazing Side Tour

The team was able to visit Houston Mission Control, guided by a Flight Director and Mission Control who is in charge of the ISS. The astronauts were doing a drill while we were there (super rare) so we were able to see them and the other Mission Controls zoom in from around the World.

We learned about the many different teams that help Mission Control be successful: IT, Communications, Flight Directors, and even full-time Doctors and how they relay information to the astronauts. We learned about education programs to become a part of NASA both as an astronaut and in Mission Control. We were able to see where they practice roving (when not in Flagstaff!). They have a moon portion and a Mars portion. We also viewed the Saturn V.

We are so proud of our FIRST LEGO League team!

Lego League Champions!

For 2023 – 2024, our team finished 3rd in the State!

• (6) teams in grades 4th-8th competed in Regional Competition at Coconino in December 2023
• (1) Team Qualified for State Competition and then onto Worlds

Grades 5th-8th

• Award for Regional STEM Coach/Mentor (Elijah Rentschler)
• Award at State for STEM Coach/Mentor (Cj Perry)
• Flag STEM Teacher of the Year- Elijah Rentschler

2022-23 was our first year competing!

• (4) teams grades 4th-8th
• (2) state qualifications
• Awards in Best Engineering and Design