Team L.I.T. (Lunatecs in Training), a community robotics team with South Jersey Robotics, is headed to the FIRST Lego League World Championship in Houston, Texas from April 29 through May 2!
Team L.I.T. is a nonprofit STEM organization that serves students all over the region. L.I.T. is made up of girls and boys ages 9-14 from East Greenwich, Swedesboro, Mullica Hill, and West Deptford, and is led by Coaches Andy Hak (West Deptford) and Jesse Kafka (Clarksboro).
The team of 10 has been meeting since September in local libraries to build and program their robot to complete amazing Lego challenges. Along with programming, Team L.I.T. were also challenged to innovate a project on this season’s FIRST theme- “Unearthed,” which asks students to solve a problem in the world of archaeology.
Middle Row L-R- Coach Jesse Kafka, Colton Thomas, Naalin Patel, Jane Kafka
Front Row- Marlowe Freund
The season started with a trip to Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania where kids and coaches learned how archaeobotanists process ancient plant samples. They were lucky enough to meet Dr. Chantel White, an archaeobotanists from the University of Pennsylvania. After interviewing Dr. White, a major problem was discovered. It is difficult and expensive to get essential tools, specifically flotation systems, to remote dig sites.
The kids of Team L.I.T. decided to tackle this challenge head-on. The team spent the season researching, designing, and testing a way to make these systems safer and more cost-effective.
The result? The Floop, a flotation system built from accessible materials that can be found in most local hardware stores that will help scientists anywhere in the world. Dr. White has overseen the process over the past months and is so excited to see the innovative thinking of the team.
These local children now have the opportunity to showcase their hard work from this season on the biggest stage in youth robotics. There will be teams from all over the world at this event, and they are the only team from South Jersey who will attend.
Going to the World championship is a dream come true, but the costs are high. If you are interested in supporting Team L.I.T. on their journey to Worlds, please check out their GoFundMe at the link below, or email erint@sjrobotics.com.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-team-lit-bring-the-floop-to-the-world-stage
