All-Girls Robotics Team Wins First Place

(Left to right) Sloan Mann, Sydney Matisoff, Ava Cummings and Kaitlyn Nolte are members of the Techno Tigresses FIRST Lego League robotics team based out of Johnston County. This all-girl team took home the first place award for Core Value Inspiration during the NC FLL State Championship held at A&T University on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. (courtesy photo)

Clayton – Johnston County’s only all-girl robotics team took home a first place award at the NC FIRST Lego League State Competition on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Greensboro, N.C.

The Techno Tigresses, a community-based team that comprises girls ages 11-13 from different schools, won the first place Inspiration Award in the core value category. This award recognizes a team that excels across the Inspiration, Teamwork and Gracious Professionalism® categories. Teams considered for this award displayed extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, showed they could accomplish more together than they could as individuals, and demonstrated respect to each other and other teams at all times. This award was one of only 11 first place trophies awarded during competition.

FIRST Lego League is the largest STEM-based robotics program in the world. Students not only compete in robot categories, but also prepare for two other judging components to include an innovative project and solution and an overarching core value category.

North Carolina has more than 500 FIRST Lego League teams that compete at regional events October through December with 120 teams advancing to a two-day competition in mid-January. The Techno Tigresses were the only all-girl team among 60 teams competing from across the state on Saturday on the campus of A&T University.

“It’s been a wonderful rookie season for these girls,” said Shannon Mann, coach. “They’ve really put so much work into this and stretched themselves in all areas of the competition. To win first place in any category is a big deal because all the children who compete are amazing. I’m very proud of them.”

To learn more about FIRST Lego League go to www.firstinpires.org or follow the Techno Tigresses on Facebook @TechnoTigresses44406