CenterPoint YMCA @ Caldwell’s Techno Titans advance to First LEGO League robotics semi-state tournament

In its third season competing in the First LEGO League robotics tournament, the Techno Titans from CenterPoint YMCA @ Caldwell earned enough points to advance to the semi-state tournament later this month.

The Techno Titans members are students in grades 4-8 and participate through the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana’s Outreach program.

First LEGO League competitions are scored in two parts. First, the students build and program a LEGO Spike robot to perform a series of challenges around the annual theme. This year’s theme is Unearthed and is about archeology. The more challenges they complete within a set time and other parameters, the more points they earn.

Second, the team completes and presents an Innovation Project based on the theme. For the Innovation Project, each team researches a problem and comes up with a solution for that problem.

After learning about how archeologists do their work at Angel Mounds State Historic Site, the Techno Titans were concerned about damage that might be caused to dig sites by severe weather. They came up with an idea for a portable dig site cover with an aluminum frame and tarp on a track similar to a pool cover. The team visited Anchor Industries to learn the pros and cons of several different types of covers to decide which one to use. With the input of Anchor Industries, the team finalized their plan for the Techno Titan Tarp to protect dig sites from severe weather damage.

The Techno Titans scored enough combined points at the Nov 22 qualifying tournament at EVSC New Tech Institute to advance to the semi-state tournament at Vincennes University on December 20.

The Techno Titans team is supported by student mentors from Signature School and EVSC New Tech Institute and is coached by YMCA staff and parent volunteers.