Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • December 9, 2009 Area Local robotics team wins regional championship Twelve teams of children, ages 8 through 14, recently competed in a regional robotics competition at Bogert School in Upper Saddle River. The Champion’s Trophy went to the Cyber Robots from Ridgewood and Glen Rock. The LEGO Robot Alliance, with members from Glen Rock, Ridgewood, and Allendale, won the teamwork award. For most of the Cyber Robots team members, it was the third year of competition. The subject of their research project was maglev transportation. The LEGO Robot Alliance focused on solving problems associated with bird strikes. The Cardinals of Upper Saddle River won first place in the robot performance category. Other local winners were the Somerville Sci-Cos, second place for teamwork; the Ridgewood Einsteins, third place for teamwork; the LEGO Onions from Glen Rock, second place for research project; and the Ridgewood Rockets, third place for research project. The challenge was part of the FIRST LEGO League. FIRST is an international non-profit organization with the mission to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. The teams competed for trophies and the chance to go to the state competition. Trophies were awarded to first-place winners in five categories: robot performance, robot design, teamwork, research project, Judges’ Award, and the overall champion. First place winners in each category will now advance to the state competition at Mount Olive High School in Flanders on Dec. 12. One team from New Jersey will advance to the World Festival that will be held next April. The teams have been practicing since late August for this year’s challenge. Top right: Cyber Robots team with the Bergen County First LEGO League Competition 2009 Champions Award Trophy. Aaron Mueninghoff, Glen Rock; Adrian Biagioli, Allendale, JJ Marcus, Wyckoff; Jordan Schildkraut, Glen Rock; Zach Rowell, Waldwick; Nick Spano, Waldwick; Noah Bronowich, Ridgewood. Bottom right: LEGO Robot Alliance.Clockwise from left: Alex Mueninghoff, Joshua Unger, Anand Shetler, Ben Unger, Terry Blevin, Francis Biagioli, and Molly Sokota. ����������������������������������� �� �� ��������������� �� �������������������� ��������������������� ����������������� � �������������������� �������������������� ���� ���� ���� � ���� ��������������������� ����������������� ���������������� ���������������������� ��������������������������������������� ������������������ ������� ������� �������������������������������� ������������������ ���������� ��� ���������� � ������ ����������� ��� ��������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������� �� ������������������� ������������� ������������������� � ������������������ ������������������������� ������������������� � ��������������������� � ������������� ������������������� ����� ���������� ������ ���� ���������� ��������� � � � � � �� � What could be bigger than the life of your kid? Prescription drug abuse can kill teens, but most parents are not aware of the danger. Place this coupon in your wallet as a reminder to talk to your kids. It’s one of the best ways to stop the abuse. Learn more at drugfree.org. SAVE BIG!