B-P hosts FIRST Tech Challenge tournament; FLL Challenge teams finish their seasons

Broadalbin-Perth's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge teams recently wrapped up their season, but the district isn't done with FIRST for the year. B-P will host a FIRST Tech Challenge qualifying tournament at the Robert C. Munn Gymnasium at Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School Sunday, Jan. 26.

This year, Broadalbin-Perth supported two FLL Challenge teams and four FLL Explore teams. The Challenge teams, which included students in grades 4-7, recently competed at regional events. Students in grades 2-3 on the FLL Explore teams will present their models to their families and teachers during an expo at B-P Elementary School starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

According to the organization's website, FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning. FLL participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program. 

FLL Challenge teams engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering as they build and program a LEGO robot to navigate the missions of a provided game. Teams also complete a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem.

FLL Explore teams focus on the fundamentals of engineering as they explore real-world problems, learn to design and code, and create unique solutions made with LEGO bricks and powered by a LEGO Education robot.

The all-day FIRST Tech Challenge qualifying tournament is open to the public and there is no charge for admission. Twenty-six teams from across New York state are expected to attend and compete.

Broadalbin-Perth FLL Teams

FLL Explore

L.E.G.O. – Love Exploring Goofy Objects (3rd graders)

Coach: Alexander Renna

• Antonion Snyder
• Christopher Sinness
• Oliver Renna
• Kyle Fetterly
• Sunny Becker
• Mikhail Polak
• Julie Sim

Disasters 2 Masters (3rd graders)

Coaches: Colleen Ripple and Emily Opalka

• Rocco Stevens
• Duke Opalka
• Owen Crawford
• James Ripple
• Cecilia Duff

2nd Grade Team 1

Coaches: Theresa Marrero and Jessica Merendo

• Owen Jasewicz
• Colton Majewski
• Julian Muniz
• Jaylin Capron
• Risa Marrero

2nd Grade Team 2

Coaches: Amanda and Brandon Caldwell

• Reagan Caldwell
• Peyton Bagwell
• Joseph Nolan
• Emma Thelin

FLL Challenge

The Builder Bagels (4th and 5th graders)

Coaches: Amanda Jasewicz and Joanne Clayton

• Edmund Jasewicz
• Isabella Jasewicz
• Calder Dievendorf
• Joshua Clayton
• Michael Spencer
• Jackson Thelin
• Giovanni Brand
• Noah Mantei

Chicken Nuggets (5th and 6th graders)

Coaches: Bryan and Kelly Spence

• Alexander Snyder
• Brewer Spence
• Jaxson Firstiun
• Rigby Smathers
• Dominic Sebast
• Wesley Frasier
• Oliver Murphy