Gallery: Illinois Robotics Tournament Series at MCC

The Illinois Robotics Tournament Series took place at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake this weekend. Kids aged 9-14 represented 13 teams throughout Chicagoland at this tournament, competing against others in timed challenges.

The top three teams won the opportunity to advance to the State Tournament in January. They were judged in four categories, each worth 25 percent of their total score: competition, teamwork challenge, presentation and technical.

Food Factor Challenge: Keeping Food Safe

The challenge theme this year was the 'Food Factor'. Teams explored the topic of food safety and examined the possible points of contamination our food encounters, then found ways to prevent or combat these contaminates.

Their fourth year competing, local team from Crystal Lake: the "A-Team" were in the lead and had been to State twice before. Hoping to have the chance to secure a spot to State again, the seven 8th-graders started preparing for this competition in July. Kush Gupta commented, "It's a fun experience."   

First Lego League (FLL) is a global program for children ages 9-14. FLL uses theme-based challenges to engage kids in research, problem solving, and engineering. There are adult coaches who guide the children and using their own imaginations, the students solve real-world engineering challenges, develop important life skills and learn to make positive contributions to society.

State Tournament Info

Forest View Education Center

2121 Goebbert Road

Arlington Heights, IL

847-875-0166

Friday, January 20th and Saturday, January 21st.