M-W Team Robo KOARS to compete in next round of First Lego League tourney tomorrow

POUGHKEEPSIE — The Monroe-Woodbury 4-H Team Robo KOARS has advanced to the next round of First Lego League competition and will be competing tomorrow, Feb. 11, at the Poughkeepsie Day School.
Their advancement is part of a journey the 10 students, on two Monroe-Woodbury teams, started in the first leg of the competition which first began in January.
The theme at that First Lego League Qualifying Tournament at Warwick's Sanfordville Elementary School was "Animal Allies."
About 150 kids from 15 teams participated with projects geared toward improving shared experiences between animals and humans.
The Programming Penguins and Robo KOARS teams were made up of 4-H members and 4-H volunteer parent coaches.
They received support from Kathy Leo, a former coach and 4-H membership assistant, with equipment from Cornell Cooperative Extension through the 4-H office.
In this 4-H program, students learn to research, program and build robots.
Most importantly, explained Jodi Baker, coordinating leader for the Tardigrade 4-H Robotics Club and president of the Monroe-Woodbury Parents Advocating Gifted Education (PAGE) president, they have to communicate their ideas, thoughts and experiences in presentations to judges.
"They discuss as a team and pick what they think is best and do it," Baker said. "This gives them the opportunity to build skills that will transfer to their life in many ways."
Team coaches are Vikas Sonakya and Rajendran Balaraman.
"These coaches supported the teams on this journey and volunteered many hours to make this happen, " she added. "We need more volunteers like them and opportunities like this for the kids."