Edison and Ford Winter Estates' Robotics Team Wins Award at the World Championship

April 24, 2023

Edison and Ford Winter Estates’ Robotics Team Wins Award at the World Championship

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 24, 2023) — The Edison and Ford Winter Estates’ (EFWE) FIRST LEGO League robotics team, “Assembly Required” competed in the FIRST LEGO League World Robotics Championship in Houston, Texas in April. At the event, more than 18,000 students on 974 robotics teams from 59 countries competed and exhibited.

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates robotics team, “Assembly Required,” celebrates after winning the Core Values award at the FIRST LEGO League World Robotics Championship.

“Assembly Required” won the Core Values Award, which is one of the four challenge awards offered. Judges assess teams during presentations for several components, including discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun. Teams are also evaluated during interviews and while operating the robot on the field. This is the first time a team from Florida has won this award.

“It is very difficult to involve all students during competitions,” said Pearce Augustenborg, the team’s coach and Education Coordinator at Edison Ford. “The judges get a good sense of this during the interviews, which were intensive at Worlds. I was so impressed with how all of our students stepped up. I have never seen a more cohesive and inclusive judging session. Every student participated and answered questions in nearly equal measure. I believe this is a big part of why the team received this very prestigious award.”

The robotics program is currently sponsored by TLC Engineering Solutions, Ronin Riding Club of SWFL, Scientists Society of SWFL, Blue Waters Development Group, Florida Power & Light, Lee County Electric Cooperative, Entech, Edison National Bank, Paydit, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Matco Tools, ESG Kullen Communities, and AMR Painting.