Combined East Providence/Rehoboth team wins First LEGO state title

Home schoolers take top prize at annual STEM-based competition

Photos by Julie Furtado
Posted 1/14/19

BRISTOL — A combined group of youngsters from East Providence and Rehoboth were awarded first place at the 2019 Rhode Island Students of the Future First LEGO Junior League “Into Orbit” state …

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Combined East Providence/Rehoboth team wins First LEGO state title

Home schoolers take top prize at annual STEM-based competition

Posted

BRISTOL — A combined group of youngsters from East Providence and Rehoboth were awarded first place at the 2019 Rhode Island Students of the Future First LEGO Junior League “Into Orbit” state championship competition held at Roger Williams University on Saturday, Jan. 12.

“MagicSock,”an entry made up of home school students from East Providence and Rehoboth garnered the top prize in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum inspired event. The team advances to the world championships in one of two host cities, Detroit, Mich., in April. Houston, Texas will host the other portion of the world event also in April. As well, each member of “MagicSock” receives a future $20,000 scholarship to attend RWU.

“MagicSock” members included Alex Tomellini, Ethan cutler, Noah Ferreira, Devin Andrade, Samuel Brown and coaches Dalita Tomellini and Melissa Cutler.

The “Compass Comets,” of The Compass School in Kingston, placed second. Another city-based entry, the “CyborGators” of The Gordon School, earned the day’s project research award. Gordon “CyborGators” members included Bix Bettridge, Archie Daffner, Levi Gewirz, Myles Johnson, Owen Matheson and coaches Pallavi Naravane and Nick Terry.

Other teams recognized at states included: Robot Strategy & Innovation: “Asteroid Angels,” Our Lady of Mercy School, East Greenwich; Robot Mechanical Design: “SLS Streamers,” Saint Luke's School, Barrington; Project Innovative Solution Award, Robot Performance & Global Innovation Award Rhode Island Nominee: “Planet Robotics,” Family/Community, North Attleboro, Mass.; Project Presentation: “Architectonas,” All Saints STEAM Academy, Middletown; Core Values Gracious Professionalism: “The Milky Way Madness Programmers”, Quest Montessori School, Narragansett; Core Values Teamwork: “Space Warriors,” Ella Risk School, Central Falls; Core Values Inspiration: “Floaty Coyotes,” Jamestown School-Lawn, Jamestown; and Judge's Award: “Apollo 18,” Portsmouth Middle School PTO, Portsmouth.

“MagicSock” earned its spot at states by likewise finishing first at a qualifying tournament held December 8 in city at The Gordon School.

East Providence was also represented at the state championship competition by teams from Martin and Riverside Middle Schools. Martin’s “Space Maniacs” took first place in the Robot Performance discipline at its qualifier held December 1 at the Edward Ricci Middle School. MMS “Space Maniacs” members included Tyler Quadros, Erin DiStefano, Keira Quadros, Zachary Quadros, Dillon Vieira and coaches Thomas Hargreaves and David Jarvais.

Riverside’s “Rocket Blasters” earned the Judges Award at the AIR 4H/Portsmouth Middle School qualifier on November 15. RMS “Rocket Blasters” members included Grade 6 students Isabel Tavares, Katie Patalano, Gabe Santos, Abbie Leddy, Christian Gobern, Luke Grimley, Lana Melmed and coaches John Marsula and Donna Hallal.

The Gordon “Gators” won the Robot Design division and was first in Robot Performance at its qualifying event held at the Rocky Hill School on December 15 where Riverside’s Grade 7 team “Intergalactic Tech” also earned a berth at states. RMS team members included Marley Nicini, Alyssa Portzeba, Brandon Portzeba, Braeden Conaty, William Laroche, Nathan Tavares, Elizabeth Crowley, Aidan Lombardo, Lucas Saveory and coaches Mr. Marsula and Ms. Hallal.

The First LEGO competition is sponsored annually by Roger Williams University, National Grid, Polaris MEP and Textron Charitable Trust.

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