Three William Floyd robotics teams – Moriches Elementary School, William Floyd Middle School and William Floyd Elementary School – competed in the School-Business Partnership of Long Island FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League Robotics Qualifier held this past weekend at William Floyd High School. All three teams put forth great efforts, which resulted in two awards – the Project Presentation Award earned by the William Floyd Middle School team or FloydStrongMS, and the Gracious Professionalism Award won by the Moriches Elementary School team (Mor Dynamics). Members of the William Floyd High School Robotics team #287 “Hurricane Floyd” were also on hand in a volunteer capacity. This contest is open to teams in elementary and middle school in the nine- to 14-year old age group.

The theme for this year’s event was “City Shaper,” in which students were able to collaborate with experts in the fields of architecture, civil engineering, infrastructure, sustainability and urban planning. These experts, who made up the Challenge Advisory Team, helped to create a theme and challenge missions that reflect what it takes to design and construct practical, sustainable and beautiful buildings and spaces, catering to the diverse needs of their users.

The competition was judged in three areas: Innovation Project; Robot Design and Core Values, which embody aspects of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Top robot game scores are also honored as teams programmed their LEGO MINDSTORMS^® robots to solve a set of missions on an obstacle course set on a thematic playing surface.  

In the Innovation category, William Floyd Middle School (FloydStrongMS), under the direction of their advisor Jeremy Ferrara and volunteer coach Christina Nugent, won the Project Presentation Award, which recognizes a team that effectively communicates the problem they have identified and their proposed solution to both the judges and other potential supporters.

In the Core Value category, Moriches Elementary School (Mor Dynamics), led by advisors Joshua Haight and Alisa Plastrik, impressed the judges to earn the Gracious Professionalism Award, which recognizes a team whose members show respect at all times to each other and competitors from other teams. Gracious professionals recognize that friendliness and competition are possible, on and off the playing field.

The Floydbots, William Floyd Elementary School’s team under the leadership of advisors Alba McKibbon, Dr. Keith Fasciana and parent-advisors Jennifer and Joel Heitman, have won several awards since their inception including two Project Presentation Awards and a Champions Award. They have also qualified for the finals two of their four years in existence.

Additional photos available in the album below!