​Back in 2019 the Rebel Robotics, coached by Shannon Albert, set out to compete in the FIRST Lego League Competition.  The theme that year, City Shaper, required teams to identify a problem in the community and design a solution in the Innovation Project.  Shannon recently reached out to share her team decided to turn the Innovation Project into an innovated reality.  ​

Shannon shared, "the theme was to discover a public space in the community and come up with a way to improve it."  The team wanted to figure out a way to update the playground in Chamberlain Park in Cuba, NY.  The Rebel Robotics team decided to implement their plan.  The Rebel Robotics team met with the town mayor and local Chamber of Commerce to share their idea.  

Through school and community support, the team has raised over $100,000 in private donations to update the playground.  Phase 1 of the project is complete with Phase 2 set for the Spring of 2023.  

We congratulate the 2019 Rebel Robotics team for turning your great idea into an amazing community resource!  ​

If you would like to learn more about the FIRST Lego League, contact Jean Oliverio at CA BOCES; jean_oliverio@caboces.org or 716-376-8323.

Student Programs inspires creative problem-solving, teamwork, deep thinking, and resilience.  This year, more than ever, students, coaches, and the Student Programs team were challenged to apply these traits to achieve the impossible, virtually. 
​ 
While some regions chose to cancel student competitions this year, CABOCES reimagined them all as virtual events.  Despite countless obstacles, innovative teams found ways to participate and excel, thanks to supportive administration and dedicated coaches who were willing to take a risk.  Coaches, students, and judges faced a steep learning curve of mastering the complicated new format of virtual competitions.  The Student Programs team would like to recognize some highlights of the 2020-2021 CABOCES Regional Student Competitions.

Scholastic Challenge (November 2020)
At the uncertain start of the school year, nine districts came together, virtually, and formed a total of 21 teams.  Ellicottville Central School, coached by Ann Chamberlain and Chris Edwards, won 1st place honors in both the Junior and Senior divisions.

Odyssey of the Mind Multi-Regional Tournament (March 2021)
Allegany-Limestone Elementary School took a risk by joining Odyssey of the Mind for the first time. Starting a new membership is impressive in a year that caused many established memberships to drop due to the obvious obstacles. Kimberly Voegelin’s Problem 5 Division 1 team received Region 19’s OMER Award and ended up in 5th place in the New York State Tournament.  Congratulations on establishing a new membership and Division 1 team.

Bolivar-Richburg Central School’s Problem 5 Division 1 team, coached by Carol McClellan, earned a 4th place finish in New York State.  Also, Margaret Werner’s Problem 5 Division 2 team earned an impressive 1st place in the Spontaneous portion of the state competition.
​
Seneca Intermediate (Salamanca) School’s Problem 4 Division 2, coached by Janette McClure and Brenda Windus, earned a 3rd place finish in New York State.  Despite the pandemic, they remarkably built a balsa wood structure that held a weight of 202 pounds.  They are currently competing in the 2021 Odyssey of the Mind Virtual World Finals along with 873 teams from all over the world.

NASEF (eSports) NYS Tournament: Rocket League (6-week season and playoffs; March-April 2021)
A pandemic school year might be the best AND worst time to launch a new Student Programs event. Congratulations to two school districts that led the way and were successful in their first eSports season.

Cuba-Rushford Central School’s eSports team competed in the NASEF Rocket League tournament and finished as NYS Finalists and 12th place nationally.  The team consisted of all Seniors who played on school computers located in the library.   Thank you and congratulations to Cuba-Rushford’s Jay Morris who served as General Manager.
​
Salamanca City School fielded two Warrior eSports teams and they ended the regular season ranked in 4th and 15th place. Salamanca eSports is fully funded and recognized by the Salamanca Board of Education as a Varsity Sport, with all the benefits and academic responsibilities that come with that designation.  Congratulations to the Warrior’s General Managers Justin Schapp, Aaron Straus, and Kim Dry.

VEX Robotics Skills Challenge (February 2021) and FIRST Lego League Championship Event (April 2021)
Building a robot in a normal year is difficult.  Building a robot during a pandemic, with school closures and quarantines, sounds impossible.  Yet, one school district found a way to field four VEX teams, coached by Dave Taylor, and four Lego League teams, coached by Dawn Wardner.
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Franklinville Central School’s teams worked hard and engineered an impressive season.  Collectively, the VEX teams earned the Design Award, the Robot Skills 2nd Place Award, and the Robot Skills Champion Award at the CABOCES Skills Challenge in February and, all four teams advanced to the Northern NYS Finals in April.

Additionally, one of Dawn Wardner’s Lego League teams scored in 5th place in the robot matches at the New York State Championship Event.

​​Now is the time to plan to join the fun in the 2021-2022 school year!

Follow this link https://caboces.org/services/student-programs/extra-curricular-activities/ as next year’s events will be published here as soon as they are confirmed.  Contact jean_oliverio@caboces.org for more information.

By: Jean Oliverio, CA BOCES Student Programs

Teams have been hard at work since the school year began to prepare for the Southern Tier’s largest Lego League tournament ever.  The program, sponsored by BOCES, continues to grow by leaps and bounds in the Cattaraugus-Allegany region. On Saturday, November 16th, 27 teams from 14 school districts are participating in this year’s FIRST Lego League robotics tournament series held at Houghton College. Congratulations to Archbishop Walsh, Belfast, Bolivar-Richburg, Catt-Little Valley, Cuba-Rushford, Ellicottville, Fillmore, Franklinville, Friendship, Genesee Valley, Salamanca, Scio, Wellsville, and Whitesville for accepting the challenge to explore the fields of architecture and urban engineering.
 
First Lego League, a world-wide robotics program, was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in Science and Technology.  Each year a new challenge is designed to motivate kids to get excited about research, engineering, math and problem solving, while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills.  Learn about this year’s challenge, City Shaper, here: https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/fll/2020/city-shaper-challenge.pdf
 
The Campus Center at Houghton College is the place to be on Saturday, November 16th to see more than two hundred 9-14 year old students, plus their coaches and families, and over 3 dozen volunteers discover innovative ways to explore robotics while having fun!  Spectators are invited to attend to cheer on all the teams who tackled the City Shaper challenge.  At the Closing Ceremony, the seven teams who will advance to the Championship Tournament at the University of Rochester on December 8 will be announced.
 
Southern Tier Lego League Tournament details:

• 12:00 Opening Ceremony
• 12:10 Competition Rounds begin
• 3:45 Alliance Round & Dance Party
• 4:30 Awards Presentations & Closing Ceremony

Times are approximate and subject to change

• For GPS purposes, use Houghton College, 1 Willard Avenue, Houghton College, Houghton, New York 14744
• Watch for Lego League signs on campus
• The tournament will be held in the Reinhold Campus Center Lounge, the Student Union at Houghton College
• Parking is available in the Gillette and Gym parking lots

 
Call or email BOCES Student Programs at 716-376-8323 for more information.  We're looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, November 16!  Thanks for supporting the Southern Tier Lego League teams! 

Jean_Oliverio@caboces.org
Student Programs CABOCES
716-307-0877
​

Teams have been hard at work since the school year began to prepare for the Southern Tier Lego League Tournament on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Houghton College.  It's exciting to see the program continue to grow in our region.  CABOCES is ready to host the largest Southern Tier Lego League Tournament ever!

First Lego League, a world-wide robotics program, was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in Science and Technology.  Each year a new program is designed to motivate kids to get excited about research, engineering, math and problem solving, while building self confidence, knowledge and life skills.

The Campus Center at Houghton College is the place to be this Saturday to see almost two hundred 9-14 year old students, their coaches and families, and over 3 dozen volunteers discover innovative ways to explore robotics while having fun!  Please consider attending and help us celebrate all the teams who accepted this challenge.  We will announce, at the Closing Ceremony, the five teams who will be advancing to the Championship Tournament at the University of Rochester on December 11.

Call or email BOCES Student Programs at 716-376-8323 if you'd like more information.  Also, to learn more about this year's Challenge, check out the link:firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/challenge-and-season-info
We're looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 19!  Thanks for supporting our Southern Tier Lego League teams! 

Transportation details:
For GPS purposes, use Houghton College, 1 Willard Avenue, Houghton College, Houghton, New York 14744.

Watch for Lego League signs, once on campus.

The tournament will be held in the Reinhold Campus Center Lounge, the Student Union at Houghton College.

Parking is available in the Gillette and Gym parking lots.

Tournament details:
There are 18 teams competing this year.  This is our largest Southern Tier Tournament!
The Tournament Tables will be in the Campus Center Lounge.
The Matches will be projected onto a big screen for viewing.
The Pit Area will be in the Campus Center downstairs Rec & Cafe Area.

*Southern Tier FLL Qualifying Tournament 2016*
(times are approximate and subject to change)
12:00 Opening Ceremony
12:20 Competition Rounds begin
3:00 Alliance Round & Dance Party
3:45 Awards Presentations & Closing Ceremony

This Just In:
It's official!  CABOCES will be hosting the largest Southern Tier Lego League Tournament ever on Saturday, November 19 at Houghton College.  See flyer for details.

First Lego League, a world-wide robotics program, was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in Science and Technology.

​Each year a new program is designed to motivate kids to get excited about research, engineering, math and problem solving, while building self confidence, knowledge and life skills.
​

This is the question on the minds of Lego League teams this fall.  The 2014-2015 Lego League Challenge is World Class-Learning Unleashed.  Students will redesign how knowledge and skills are gathered in the 21st century.  Teams will teach adults about the ways that kids need and want to learn.  Get ready for a whole new class, World Class.
Teams have been hard at work since the school year began to prepare for the Southern Tier Lego League Tournament on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Houghton College.  It's exciting to see the program continue to grow in our region and new schools have formed teams this season.

First Lego League, a world-wide robotics program, was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in Science and Technology.  Each year a new program is designed to motivate kids to get excited about research, engineering, math and problem solving, while building self confidence, knowledge and life skills.

The Nielsen Phys. Ed building at Houghton College is the place to be this Saturday to see about a hundred 9-14 year old students, their coaches and families, and over 3 dozen volunteers discover innovative ways to explore robotics while having fun!  Please call or email BOCES Student Programs at 716-376-8284 if you'd like more information.  Also, check out this link:  firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2014fllworldclass.  

Times are approximate:
Opening Ceremony - 12:15 - 12:30 
Competition Rounds - 12:30 - 2:15 
Alliance Round - 2:15 - 3:00
Awards Presentation & Closing Ceremonies - 3:00 - 3:30

The mantra of the program is always its’ Core Values, which are as follows:

• We are a team.
  
• We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors.
  
• We know our coaches and mentors don't have all the answers; we learn together.
  
• We honor the spirit of friendly competition.
  
• What we discover is more important than what we win.
  
• We share our experiences with others.
  
• We display “Gracious Professionalism” in everything we do.
  
• We have fun!