WILDCAT MICROSCHOOL STUDENTS PLACED HIGH IN LEGO LEAGUE ROBOTICS AT FIRST ROUND QUALIFIERS, THEN AT THE STATE FINALS, THE NERDS WON FIRST PLACE FOR CORE VALUES. A GREAT HONOR FOR THEM!
Bernie Marvin
December 18, 2025
Wildcat Microschool teacher Laura Sjolander tells me that the qualifier round of the Lego League Challenge was held at White Mountains Regional High School in late November. She said that all Wildcat students in 4th to 8th grades participated in that First Robotics Lego League Challenge competition.
To prepare for this stiff competition, she said students were required to build a Lego robot, code the robot to complete missions, create a research project on a specific topic (Archeology this year), design an innovation project that involved implementation of the scientific method for a lab design, and they must also prepare a full presentation with visuals and models.
Here is her note announcing the results for the Regional Lego Competition; “Our students went to Whitefield, New Hampshire for the regional competition on November 22nd. At this competition three of our teams walked away with awards, including the best innovation design (Wildcat Fearsome Five), First Place in the robot games (Wildcat Nerds), First Champions Award (Wildcat Nerds) and Second Place Champions Award (Wildcat Unearthed).”
Mrs. Sjolander said they all qualified for the State Championship Competition, which was on December 6, 2025. Our youngest team, Wildcat Fantasy Fire Friends, did exceptionally well for their age and development, but did not advance in the competition.
At the state championship, the oldest Wildcat Microschool team, who call themselves the Nerds, won First Place for the State of New Hampshire in Core Values (Core Values are Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun, emphasizing exploring ideas, creative problem-solving, applying learning, respecting differences, working together, and enjoying the process, all within the spirit of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® (cooperative competition).
Mrs. Sjolander said “This was a great honor! The Nerds also placed eight out of 50 for the robot game competition!” The benefits of this program are the cross-curricular learning that the program involves, along with so many life skills. Students must work together to collaborate on their ideas, use their imaginations and great depths of knowledge to innovate new designs, and professional skills to compose themselves and present for a panel of judges. “We are very thankful for having the opportunity for our students to participate in such a wonderful program,” she said proudly.
To prepare for this stiff competition, she said students were required to build a Lego robot, code the robot to complete missions, create a research project on a specific topic (Archeology this year), design an innovation project that involved implementation of the scientific method for a lab design, and they must also prepare a full presentation with visuals and models.
Here is her note announcing the results for the Regional Lego Competition; “Our students went to Whitefield, New Hampshire for the regional competition on November 22nd. At this competition three of our teams walked away with awards, including the best innovation design (Wildcat Fearsome Five), First Place in the robot games (Wildcat Nerds), First Champions Award (Wildcat Nerds) and Second Place Champions Award (Wildcat Unearthed).”
Mrs. Sjolander said they all qualified for the State Championship Competition, which was on December 6, 2025. Our youngest team, Wildcat Fantasy Fire Friends, did exceptionally well for their age and development, but did not advance in the competition.
At the state championship, the oldest Wildcat Microschool team, who call themselves the Nerds, won First Place for the State of New Hampshire in Core Values (Core Values are Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun, emphasizing exploring ideas, creative problem-solving, applying learning, respecting differences, working together, and enjoying the process, all within the spirit of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® (cooperative competition).
Mrs. Sjolander said “This was a great honor! The Nerds also placed eight out of 50 for the robot game competition!” The benefits of this program are the cross-curricular learning that the program involves, along with so many life skills. Students must work together to collaborate on their ideas, use their imaginations and great depths of knowledge to innovate new designs, and professional skills to compose themselves and present for a panel of judges. “We are very thankful for having the opportunity for our students to participate in such a wonderful program,” she said proudly.
Pumas, Nerds; Left to right are Jackson Sjolander, Brantley Newell, Britton Long, Julie VanNorden, Sofia Chumbes, and Mackensey Sjolander holding their trophy.
Bobcats Unearthed: Brooklyn VanNorden, Laney Newton and Chloe Chumbes with their trophy. Missing from the photo is Sheldon Laflamme.
Jackson Sjolander reviews the team’s recent competition.
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