By Greg Zimmerly

Special to the Caloosa Belle

The LaBelle Middle School Robotics Club is gearing up for the new season! The “Techno Waffles” is excited to begin their second season as a part of the Lego League, an organization founded on eight core values that students demonstrate as they compete with other teams around the state and potentially around the world depending on how far they make it during the competition.

After a late start their first season, this year’s team will be in much better shape to compete as they already have the Challenge Set for the new season. The Challenge Set is composed of interactive elements made of Legos that the team has to manipulate using a robot that the team builds and programs, earning points for each successful task. Teams are judged by their performance on the Challenge table but also have to present a researched solution to a problem related to the theme of the season. This year’s theme is Hydrodynamics and students will learn about water infrastructure, treatment, and conservation.

The “Techno Waffles” (can you tell that middle schoolers came up with their team name?) have been graciously sponsored by several local businesses and would like to recognize Rock Enterprises, Inc., Jack’s on Joel, LLC, Johnson Engineering, LaBelle Fruit Company, LLC, and Walmart for their generosity and support. These businesses have made it possible to start a second team this season that will collaborate with the “Techno Waffles,” building on last season’s experience to hopefully advance to the next level of competition. Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the Robotics Teams at LMS can contact Greg Zimmerly at zimmerlyg@hendry-schools.net or by calling the school at (863) 674-4646.

Robotics Team members shown with a new Core Set and Expansion Set provided by sponsor Rock Enterprises, Inc. and Jack’s on Joel.[/caption]