A team of nine 5th-7th grade students from Shaw Island School, Northwest Robotics, competed against more than 20 teams at the Marysville Regional Competition held on Dec. 3 in an effort to improve global food safety. Their challenge was part of the 2011 Food Factor Challenge sponsored by First Lego League (FLL).

The First Lego League’s mission is to inspire the world’s youth to be science and technology leaders while learning to be self-confident and innovative.

In the competition, teams presented a research project, shared their robot’s design and programming, were judged on teamwork skills and also competed with their robot to complete missions in two and half minute matches.

The Northwest Robotics team focused their research project on the consumption of raw oysters and the related Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria, which can result in vibriosis, an illness with flu-like symptoms.

The team won the Inspiration Award, an honor that represents the “Core Values,” and qualifies them to compete in the state competition.

The primary principles of the FLL program are its Core Values, which emphasize contributions of others, friendly sportsmanship, learning, and community involvement.

Over the past two months, the dedicated team of students met two to three days a week after school and worked many hours completing research and programming the robots.

Not only did they focus on a local, real-world issue, but they also wrote an original song accompanied by ukuleles to open their project presentation, which was a hit with the judges.

“The group participated in the competition with enthusiasm and pride, and truly displayed the characteristics of a great team,” said team coach Diane Clifton.