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Northeast Hosts Tournament to Challenge Young Minds’ Robotics Skills

Northeast Hosts Tournament to Challenge Young Minds’ Robotics Skills

NORFOLK, Neb. –- Young innovators gathered in Norfolk recently for the second annual FIRST Lego League Mini Play Challenge, an event hosted by the iHub at Northeast Community College.


The competition on Saturday, Jan. 18, showcased middle and junior high school students’ creativity and problem-solving skills as they tackled robotics challenges under tight deadlines.

The Mini Play Challenge, an initiative of Rob and Amber Haake, aims to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders by introducing students to robotics, coding, and teamwork. The event welcomed nine teams from across Northeast Nebraska, comprised of students in fourth through eighth grades, who competed in a series of missions based on the year’s ocean-themed challenge, “Submerged.”

“It’s an amazing entry level robotics program,” said Rob Haake, organizer and coach of the Lego League Mini Challenge. “You put these students in front of judges, and they are presenting at this age, speaking in front of others becomes natural and that is the ultimate skillset we are building here and we are using robots to do so.”

Each team was tasked with programming and operating their pre-built robots to complete as many missions as possible within a two-and-a-half-minute time limit. Using sensors and precise coding on computers or tablets, robots autonomously navigated through a series of challenges designed to mimic real-world problems.

The 15 total missions tested students’ innovation and technical acumen while fostering a hands-on understanding of careers in robotics, manufacturing, and engineering.

Beyond the technical aspects, the competition emphasized the core values of discovery, teamwork, and innovation. Teams were encouraged to think beyond the competition and develop solutions to real-world problems.

“This year’s ocean theme challenges students to design a product addressing a current issue,” explained Henry Goeden, robotics trainer at Northeast Community College. “It’s exciting to see their creativity and how they apply these lessons to solve tangible problems.”

As part of iHub’s mission to advance workforce development and innovation in the region, events like the Mini Play Challenge play a crucial role in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers. By engaging youth early, the program supports Northeast Nebraska’s manufacturing and technology sectors while creating pathways to higher education and employment.

“Seeing these students collaborate and succeed reminds us why programs like this are vital,” said Erin Sorensen, director of iHub. “They are the future of our community, and we’re proud to provide them with opportunities to explore their potential.”

The FIRST Lego League Mini Play Challenge also serves as a steppingstone for students aiming to compete in the state championship in the coming months, further cementing its role in nurturing young talent in robotics and engineering.

Want to learn more?

If your school or organization would like more information on robotics, ways to partner with iHub and robotics outreach this upcoming year, contact members of the iHub team, Erin Sorensen at esorensen@northeast.edu or Henry Goeden at hgoeden@northeast.edu

FIRST Lego Tournament

The Northeast Community College iHub hosted a tournament on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Lifelong Learning Center that attracted nine youth teams from Northeast Nebraska. The teams were tasked with trying to compete as many of 15 challenges they were given within a time limit. (Northeast Community College)

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