International Robotics Competition Held at U of A

The First-Year Engineering Program at the U of A played host again this year to the FIRST LEGO League Razorback Open Invitational May 19-22. The event was held annually from 2015-2019, then canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering and math — the STEM fields — to students through fun, exciting, hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping students and teachers build a better future together.

The 2022 Invitational brought together students from seven countries and 29 states over the four-day competition. Opening ceremonies were hosted at the Chi Omega Greek Theater on Thursday evening.

Robot matches and judging were held in the Arkansas Union, with teams competing throughout the day on Friday and Saturday.

Friday evening featured a carnival and talent show at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building for the participants to show off other skills and have some great fun and laughter.

More than half of the teams participating were housed on campus at Maple Hill. The event would not have been possible without the volunteer support from dozens from the university community, local robotics teams and FIRST LEGO League leaders from around the United States.

Sunday morning featured the closing ceremonies and award distribution at the Greek Theater.

First-place awards

  • Robot Alliance Challenge
    Oak Ridge Lego Blasters of Marion, Iowa, and
    FSINGENIUM Team from Navarra, Spain.
  • Pit Design Award
    Sharon Tiger Techs Team Black of Sharon, Pennsylvania, and
    DAB Robotics from Brooklyn, New York.
  • Robot Performance
    No Wheelers of Cary, North Carolina.
  • Core Values
    Sharon Tiger Techs Team Black of Sharon, Pennsylvania.
  • Robot Design
    SportSTEAM from Wexford, Pennsylvania.
  • Innovative Project
    CRE8 of Mason, Ohio.
  • Champion's Award
    FSINGENIUM Team from Navarra, Spain.
  • Mentor Hall of Fame
    • Jaidyn Oresti — LEGO Legends Oakville Ontario, Canada
    • Christopher Zhang — Techies Charlotte, North Carolina
    • Eric Lorenzen — Space Ninjas Bush, Louisiana
    • Pallavi Sher — CRE8 Mason, Ohio
    • Dave Tomko — Sharon Tiger Techs Team Black Sharon, Pennsylvania
    • Aviela Sherbu-Cohen — D++ Tel Aviv, Yafo Israel

All awards and other information can be found at the FIRST LEGO League Razorback Open Invitational website.

Contacts

Tamara O. Ellenbecker, website developer
Department of Industrial Engineering
479-575-3157, tellenbe@uark.edu

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