Edison and Ford Winter Estates' Robotics Teams Win Awards at the State Championship

April 8, 2023

Edison and Ford Winter Estates’ Robotics Teams Win Awards at the State Championship

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 8, 2023) — The Edison and Ford Winter Estates’ (EFWE) FIRST LEGO League robotics teams, “Assembly Required” and

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates robotics team, “Assembly Required,” celebrates after winning the Regional Championship.

“Batteries Included” competed in the Florida State Championship on April 1, at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. “Assembly Required” won third place for the Robot Performance Award with the third highest score at the tournament and third place for the Robot Design Award. “Batteries Included” won the Rising All Star Award and the fifth highest robot score.

Each team has nine students in fourth through ninth grade from 13 different schools in two counties. The teams practice weekly and work together on innovative projects to prepare for competition. The “Assembly Required” team will compete at the FIRST LEGO League World Robotics Festival in Houston, Texas, along with the top 108 teams from around the World, April 19 to 22. The teams’ coach and Education Coordinator at EFWE, Pearce Augustenborg, was honored with the Florida State Coach and Mentor Award for the second year in a row.

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates robotics team, “Batteries Included,” poses with their Rising All Star Award at the Florida State Championship.

“The teams’ resilience and perseverance have certainly been tested, despite some significant challenges throughout the season,” said Pearce Augustenborg. “Hurricane Ian flooded the garage bay in the Edison caretaker’s house, so practice was put on hold for a month.”

To help fund the trip to Texas, EFWE is accepting donations. To donate today, visit EdisonFord.org and select the education option on the donate page, or call 239-334-7419. 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.