Puckett’s Mill robotics team gears up for trip to world competition – Gwinnettdailypost.com

Eight years in the making, the Sparrowbots have made it to worlds.

Led by an exhaustive research project about the pygmy three-toed sloth, and how there are just 75 left in the world, the robotics team from Pucketts Mill Elementary won the state competition in February, and was highlighted during a pep rally at the school on Friday afternoon.

I woke up one morning and I said, We must celebrate this team, Pucketts Mill Principal Ruth Westbrooks said. With this pep rally, we are encouraging this team and congratulating them.

The nine members of the team, who are in fourth and fifth grade, gave a presentation during the assembly about their core values and how they work as a team.

On Wednesday, they will leave for Houston and the international competition of the First Lego League. They will be part of a group of about 30 people from Pucketts Mill, including teachers, parents and spouses. When they arrive, they will setup an exhibit that encompasses their state, country and project, and join eight other international teams.

The robot on the table is just a small part of the overall robotics experience.

The team also was charged with finding a solution to a problem in the world today. The Sparrowbots focused on how animals can help people. They found that the algae that grows on the fur of the sloth is a very likely cure for breast cancer.

Its just deep learning, lots of critical thinking goes into their work, Westbrooks said. With guidance, they do most all of the decision-making and work on their own, which creates that sense of collaboration, which is so important and those soft skills that they will need as they move forward into the real world.

Teacher Mandy Collins, who works with the robotics students, said the schools group has made it to state every year. Last year it finished third. But this years group even Skyped with a scientist in Germany among other research professionals.

I think the difference this year was just the passion that these students had about their topic, she said. We learned that when we are helping the Pygmy Sloths, were actually helping ourselves because all animals are related to humans in some way. Were all inter-dependent in some way. It was a very personal project.

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Puckett's Mill robotics team gears up for trip to world competition - Gwinnettdailypost.com