LGSciencelab: LABRATS Robotics Team at Canada International Open!

If you're reading this blog, then you already know about the journey and challenges the LABRATS undertook to get to the Canadian International Open in Toronto last week. In fact, its because of YOU that we were able to get there. The team proved it had what it took to get us an invitation - YOU provided the means.

THANK YOU parents, family, friends, Redd School teachers and our generous sponsors DTS Technical Services, Houston Police Officers Union, Quinn Technology, Embroidme/Spring, Educational Excellence in America, and Certified Construction Services for supporting our team and making their dream come true.

I had hoped to keep everyone updated through the week, but I found out really fast how busy our days would be! Here's a summary of our adventure!

Flags representing the competing teams.

Our Pit area

I'm still waiting to hear whether the opening ceremony video will be available online- I know many of you missed it. I hope to share that with you because it was truly an impressive beginning to our week. More on that later! For now, here's a brief clip Alisha Graham took of the LABRATS entering the arena.

Group shot of 4 Texas Teams before we marched in.

LABRATS ready to go!

So how did we do? The team performed magnificently and earned verbal praise and admiration from the judges as they performed their presentations ( we got to sit in and watch!). I always get a lump in my throat listening to their concise explanations and watching their impeccable performances. Most importantly the team was very happy with how they did.

Technical judging

Ready for the research presentation.

Parents and coaches cheer them on.

Research Presentation judging

OK, our robot game was not what we wanted. But even in the face of adversity, the LABRATS kept their cool and their spirits up and finished 55 out of 72 international teams-yay!

Practicing in the room the night before the games.

Putting on their game faces!

Practice, practice...

Doing it!

End of the second long day!

The best part of this competition was experiencing an amazing cultural event with teams from all over the world. The kids learned about new languages, food, games, and customs. And, come home with new inspiration and plans for what they'll do next year!

Trying on a Japanese Kimono!

I'll close with this:
When we end our practices or games at school, the kids always say "let's end this on a high note". As we sat and watched the other well deserving teams accept their trophies for various things, I saw my team cheering them on and commenting on how well those teams had done. I think they're strength in practicing "gracious professionalism" is ingrained now and demonstrates the winning character of this team. Still...I'm sure there was a tiny pang in each of them.

However as we filed out of the closing ceremonies, one of the Core Value judges came up to us. He said " there was one team out of all that I wanted to see again, and that was you!" He wanted them to know "they were so close" to winning an award. He also said that they were the most impressive team he saw all day in his judging room! He told them to keep working as hard because they had so much promise and that he hoped to see their team at another international event.

We walked out with heads high and agreed that we DID end on a high note after all!!!!

PS: We capped off the trip with a visit to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls :) Enjoy the rest of the pics!!