Young Innovators Shine

December 23, 2024 | Sarasota

The Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab was abuzz with excitement on December 15 as 20 teams of young innovators in grades 1–6 took to the arena for the second annual LEGO® RoboRumble competition. Nearly 70 students, including homeschoolers from across Sarasota and Manatee counties, showcased their creativity, technical skills and teamwork after spending the past two months designing, building and programming LEGO® robots. The event drew over 150 enthusiastic family and community members who cheered on the young participants as they competed for awards and prizes.

Under the guidance of Robotics Director April Pan and a dedicated committee of high school student volunteers, RoboRumblers embarked on their robotics journey with hands-on mentorship and encouragement. The high school volunteers not only supported the younger students but also developed invaluable leadership and project management experience by assisting with the event’s planning and execution—including constructing the epic battle arena and crafting lasercut trophies and awards.

The competition featured a series of exhilarating challenges that put students’ problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to the test. Teams demonstrated serious ingenuity and perseverance, with highlights including a challenge to escape a maze within one minute as well as a sumo-style battle where teams raced to knock each other’s robot off of a raised platform. This year’s event also included a design competition to award students’ creativity.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Overall winner for 1-3rd grade division: Team Blackweather, Arlo S and Julian P.
Overall winner for 4-6th grade divison: Team Lego Bites, Ezra H, Grayson D, Jackson B and Jadon T.
Design Competition winner for 1-3rd grade division: Team Axolotl, Easton S and Luke K.
Design Competition winner for 4-6th grade division: Team Lego Bites, Ezra H, Grayson D, Jackson B and Jadon T.

“LEGO® RoboRumble is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity for students to explore their potential and develop essential skills that will serve them throughout their lives,” said April Pan, Robotics Director at the Fab Lab. “Seeing their creativity and teamwork in action is always inspiring.”

RoboRumble is just one of many engaging youth programs offered at the Fab Lab. To learn more, visit https://suncoastscience.org or contact info@suncoastscience.org.