High Tech Hodags win top honors at Lego robotics competition

The Oneida County 4-H Lego Robotics Challenge Team, the High Tech Hodags, placed in the top three at the Wisconsin FIRST Lego League regional competition held Nov. 8 in West Salem. The team will advance to the sectional tournament on Dec. 13 in Mukwonago.

In addition to qualifying for sectionals, the High Tech Hodags earned two major awards. They received the Robot Performance Award for scoring the highest points during the Robot Game, in which teams compete in multiple 2.5-minute matches and their top score is counted. The team also won the Core Values Award, which recognizes exceptional enthusiasm, teamwork, inclusion, innovation, and respect for others.

Team members include Broden Kohnhorst, Greyson Simmermaker, Nolan Ory, Elise Williams, William Simmermaker, and Arlen Sauter. The team is coached by Anne Williams and Steve Simmermaker. Sponsors of the High Tech Hodags include the Oneida County 4-H Leaders' Association, LMS JCB, Town & Country Engineering, WPS Foundation, Printpack, and The Hodag Store.

Oneida County 4-H partners with FIRST Lego League to introduce STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) to youth in grades 4 to 8 through hands-on learning and skill-building opportunities.

For more information, visit oneida.extension.wisc.edu or call 715-365-2750.