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Jefferson Elementary School’s Lego Robotics, an after-school program, is made up of students working in teams to create and program Lego robots using Lego Mindstorms kits and NXT programming. These fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders work on various challenges, from navigating through a maze to teaching their robots how to hit a ball with a good golf swing. Currently, the Jefferson Lego Robotics group is finishing up with one final, open-ended challenge: to design a battle bot that will outsmart opponents. This requires that teams pool all their knowledge from the year to compete. Designs vary widely, according to the group’s strengths. Since they are only allowed to use three motors in their design, they have to think through different strategies. “Regardless of the task of the week, Lego Robotics has been a blast this year,” said Shawn Longenberger, Jefferson fourth-grade teacher and Lego Robotics adviser.
