Members of the Hardin?County 2010 Legotron team look over the robots of the competition at the Dec. 11 First Lego League regional tournament in Marshalltown. This team won the Inspirational Award. From left are Lydia Rose, Kyle Wogan, Timothy Rose, coach Jonathan Rose, Tucker Lewis (pointing), Emily Stansbury and Jake Miller. Not pictured are Esther Rose, Jacob Lorenzen and Joseph Tibbs.

The Hardin County 4-H First Lego League team, the Legotrons, competed at the Regional Tournament in Marshalltown on Dec. 11 at the Marshalltown Community College Campus. FLL is an international program, created by FIRST and LEGO, designed to get youth interested in and excited about science, technology and engineering.

Every year, FIRST releases a new challenge that engages the teams in hands-on robotics design and scientific research.

The theme for the challenge is different each year, allowing teams to learn about a variety of subjects.The 2010 Challenge theme was Body Forward.

After the challenge was released, teams had three months to design, program and build their robot, and prepare an in-depth research presentation related to the challenge theme.

The LEGO Mindstorms robotics kit is used to build a robot capable of completing tasks autonomously on the playing field.

Each team’s hard work culminates in a one-day, high-energy, sports-like tournament. During the tournaments, teams have three rounds on the competition tables to get the best score possible.

When not competing with their robots, teams give their research presentations, are interviewed about the technical design of their robots, and how they work as a team. Award winners at regional tournaments may advance to the championship event at Iowa State University on Jan. 15, 2011.

Members of the Legotrons team were Tucker Lewis, Jacob Lorenzen, Jake Miller, Emily Stansbury, Esther Rose, Lydia Rose, Timothy Rose, Joseph Tibbs and Kyle Wogan. The team was coached by Jonathan Rose.

Funding for the team was made possible by a grant from Rockwell Collins. Rockwell Collins recognizes the value of forming positive relationships with students who will become the next generation of engineers and innovators.

The FIRST programs offer young people the opportunity to explore engineering principles by teaming with a committed coach and engineer mentor.

The Legotrons competed with 27 other teams from central Iowa.There were seven regional tournies throughout Iowa. The Legotrons were honored with receiving the “Inspiration Award” at the competition and all team members received a participation medal.

The award recognized the team that is empowered by their FLL experience and displays extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit.

For more information about Hardin County 4-H, the First Lego League or to learn how to get involved, contact the Hardin County Extension office at (641) 648-4850.

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America with programs in leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills.

One in five Iowa school-age youth participates in 4-H. In Iowa, 4-H Youth Development is headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames.

4-H is supported by federal, state and county funding, private grants and donations, and fees.