Special to IFN
Pine Lake Prep’s SPORKlings recently competed at the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Western Edge International Open in Long Beach, Calif., where they proudly represented their region. Eighty-three teams from over 100 countries competed in the event.
The PLP team’s standout Innovation Project, the Mermaid Mover, impressed judges with its creativity and real-world impact. This lightweight, underwater chair—equipped with a jetpack—was designed to allow individuals with cerebral palsy to scuba dive and experience the ocean more easily.
During the robot design and programming sessions, the team showcased how they built their robot and custom attachments, selected mission strategies, and worked through programming challenges using Python.
During the Robot Game, they competed in three intense 2.5-minute runs, where their highest score was counted toward their ranking. Each run tested their precision, programming, and time management under pressure.
Throughout the competition, the SPORKlings were also judged on FLL’s Core Values: Innovation, Impact. Inclusion, Discovery, Teamwork and Fun.
They also embodied Gracious Professionalism, a hallmark of FLL, which emphasizes respectful competition and collaboration. A shining example was their participation in “On the Spot,” where they partnered with two international teams for a surprise challenge. With just a few hours and a brand-new mission board, the teams had to rapidly strategize, combine their robots, and complete as many missions as possible—showcasing adaptability, creativity, and global teamwork.
During Sunday’s awards ceremony, the SPORKlings were honored with one of the highest awards of the competition—the Champion Finalist Award. Only the top four teams out of all 83 received this distinction, recognizing excellence in innovation, performance, teamwork, and professionalism.
Team Members
♦ Cora Boutet
♦ Alice Shilmover
♦ Meesha Nayak
♦ Ciyana Satapathy
♦ Grant Degner
♦ Elise Degner
♦ Rohan Verma
♦ Tuhin Swain
Coaches: Nikki Degner and Carrie Hoke
Mentors: Scott Lashley, Nora Degner and Udayan Satapathy