Robotics Team Wins D.C. Meet, Advances to State

The NCS Alpha Eagles robotics team qualified for next month's Virginia/D.C. championship for FIRST Lego League by taking first place in the Core Values category in a regional tournament Saturday, Nov. 18.

 

This will be NCS's second consecutive trip to the state meet at James Madison University, the largest First Lego League tournament in the world. One of the teams will advance from state to the World Festival Championship in St. Louis.

 

The Alpha Eagles were challenged with running multiple missions at D.C.'s McKinley Technology High School with Alphie, the Lego Mindstorms robot they designed, built, and programmed.

 

This year's FIRST Lego League research project highlighted water waste within our homes. After examining the water filtration systems at NCS, the students designed and 3D-printed a prototype of a water filtration system that runs used shower and sink water to a basement tank. There it is filtered and then recirculated to toilets for reuse.

 

The Alpha Eagles include five returning members—Camille Beavers '23, Lauren Lucy Caddell '23, Madison Dunstan '23, Aisha Janus '23, and Carden Royster '23—and four new teammates: Grace Demuren '22, Stephanie Dragoi '24, Sarah Shah '24, and Ariana Thornton '24. Their coaches are Frances O'Connor and Steven Rentz, and the team got guidance on this project from Pedro Martinez, NCS's director of building and grounds.

 

The FIRST Lego League involves students from grades 4 through 8, and this year's team provided the Lower School and Middle School a great opportunity to work together toward a common goal. Congratulations on this fine result, and good luck at state!