Skagway School’s middle school robotics team, the Cinematic Centipedes, earned first place recognition at the Dec. 9 regional competition. The three-person team was caught off-guard by the honor, said seventh grader Jaxon Larsen.
Jaxon Larsen:“My heart was racing so fast as I didn’t even think it was real. It. It was so surprising. And it was, it was great.”
In First Lego League, the Champion Award, which Skagway brought home, shows excellence in all areas, including core values, robot design, professionalism and project.
According to co-coach Mary Thole, the team’s project was particularly compelling. The Centipedes designed a historical augmented reality walking tour app. Users can hold their phone up to a building, such as AB Hall. The app will display a historical picture of the building along with information about the site.
The boys stressed that the app doesn’t just cover gold rush history, it also includes Tlingit and military history. The goal of the app is to educate tourists and help them become immersed in Skagway culture.
Like so many of their conversations, the boys finish each other’s sentences. Here, Larson starts talking, and seventh grader Jerry (JT) Reddick interjects.
Jaxon Larsen/JT Reddick: “…we noticed that when tourists come off of the cruise ships, they are just on their phones, and not looking at everything around them when this town has beautiful history and they’re just not noticing it. So, if they have time for social media, they might as well have time
Reddick: to learn some history
Larsen: while also being on their phone.”
As state competition approaches, the team meets four times a week. Reddick doesn’t mind the ramped-up schedule.
Reddick: “Working with the robots is always fun, and being with my friends.”
The Cinematic Centipedes will compete at the Anchorage Robot Rendezvous on Jan. 27.
For KHNS, this is Melinda Munson.
