{"691373":{"#nid":"691373","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Young innovators gather at Georgia Tech for inaugural Ramblin\u2019 Robots Invitationals","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBy Chloe Behan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom June 4\u20136, Georgia Tech\u2019s Exhibition Hall transformed into a showcase of creativity, engineering, and teamwork as 48 \u003Cem\u003EFIRST\u003C\/em\u003E LEGO League Challenge teams from across the United States and around the world gathered for the inaugural \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/grits.ceismc.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Ramblin\u2019 Robots Invitationals\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe three-day event welcomed students ages 9-16, along with coaches, mentors, and families. More than 700 attendees from 17 states and 24 countries participated. As one of nine international \u003Cem\u003EFIRST\u003C\/em\u003E LEGO League events held at the conclusion of the \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.firstinspires.org\/resources\/library\/fll\/season-materials\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUnEarthed\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d season, the invitational brought together top-performing teams that advanced through previous competitions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has long served as an affiliate partner for \u003Cem\u003EFIRST\u003C\/em\u003E LEGO League. Building on that work, Timothy Cone, senior director of the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) on the Savannah campus, led the successful bid to bring a world-level invitational to Atlanta. For nearly two decades, CEISMC has supported \u003Cem\u003EFIRST\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003ELEGO League across Georgia, including coordinating regional events and hosting the state championship. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cWe saw this as an opportunity to welcome students from around the world to Georgia Tech and create an experience that reflects the scale and significance of their work,\u201d said Cone, who serves as the co-program delivery partner for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fll.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFIRST\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003ELEGO League Challenge in Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cHosting the invitational allowed us to combine high-level competition with exposure to a university environment focused on access, innovation, and community engagement.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s \u201cUnEarthed\u201d theme challenged students to explore archaeology through research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering. Students programmed LEGO robots to complete archaeology-inspired missions in timed matches. Teams followed the engineering design process to build, code, test, and refine their robots. They prepared their robots to complete as many missions as possible in 2.5-minute rounds, earning points for each successful mission.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeams also participated in innovation projects, investigating real-world challenges faced by archaeologists and developing creative solutions. Students used their research, design, and communication skills to present their ideas, including robot designs, to a panel of judges and explain how their solutions could make a meaningful impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the competition, teams explored Georgia Tech\u2019s campus through tours of The Hive Makerspace and the Robotarium and visited the Georgia Aquarium. They also attended an undergraduate admission presentation highlighting the college search and application process. The weekend concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing teams across multiple categories and highlighting both technical excellence and teamwork.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompetition Manager Jorge Hernandez Cervantes said hosting an international event of this scale creates opportunities to connect Georgia Tech with students who are already immersed in robotics and the engineering design process. Through his work co-leading GoSTEM, an outreach program and partner school network, he has seen firsthand how early experiences on a college campus can influence students\u0027 educational pathways.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want students to feel like they belong here,\u201d Hernandez Cervantes said. \u201cFor many, this was their first interaction with a university, and we wanted it to be memorable and inspiring. By offering a multi-day experience, we created an event that celebrates STEM while supporting Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment to providing students with early exposure to STEM and expanding pathways into STEM majors and careers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor many teams, the most meaningful part of the weekend was the opportunity to connect with other young innovators from different cultures. Participants highlighted the excitement of exploring Georgia Tech\u2019s campus, experiencing a new city, and building connections with fellow students and mentors. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECoaches also emphasized the personal growth students experienced through \u003Cem\u003EFIRST\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003ELEGO League. Spyros Kourias, coach of Greece\u2019s Talodia team, has watched students develop through five years of\u003Cem\u003E FIRST\u003C\/em\u003E LEGO League competitions. \u0022It\u2019s been rewarding to see them grow up, develop their skills, and interact with teams from all over the world,\u0022 he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChristina McCarthy Burger, coach of Wisconsin\u2019s Gram Gram Jones and the Drippy Stones team, said the invitational reflected months of hard work and preparation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022This international-level opportunity is so rewarding and exciting because the team worked so hard all the way through sectionals, regionals, and state competition,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u0027s been wonderful to watch this friendly, funny, clever, smart team of kids develop their skill sets to get to be here!\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2026 Georgia Ramblin\u2019 Robots Invitationals Awards\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreakthrough Award\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e53bd722591e804f292a438ad736b8bad\u0022\u003EQuantum Warriors, Arizona\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eba2e65d44ba684dab8491b9216ba8a54\u0022\u003EGram Gram Jones and the Drippy Stones, Wisconsin\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERising All-Star Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e763ac35dae3646f3e202bf66383897da\u0022\u003ESuper Duper Strawberries, Denmark\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e36cf911766b51c892af065c9b79d3066\u0022\u003ECapybaras, Paraguay\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMotivate Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e4d0e6628e58e76ab5ad9698c0111d371\u0022\u003EGreen Hawks, Maryland\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChampions\u2019 Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e29b5484aefc1e4362f59f909d0199bac\u0022\u003E1st place \u2013 Catskill, Israel\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ef017054099fd1060629fc807e9ab986c\u0022\u003E2nd place \u2013 SESI SENAI SC \u2013 Robo Rangers, Brazil\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e552a1d68168d82c06154ec6e2cf3951e\u0022\u003E3rd place \u2013 REM-2, Spain\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e3f10d5793d05087c315cfa5fd684329d\u0022\u003E4th place \u2013 VENABOTS, Mexico\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECore Values Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eefac3547387809e11c825af3b1e578cc\u0022\u003E1st place \u2013 Syntax Terror, Vermont\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e77a2d51d517118d0ca48e0dfc7091fc5\u0022\u003E2nd place \u2013 Gadget Girls, Tennessee\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022efeb458442474f53b935867a0e1789cc1\u0022\u003E3rd place \u2013 Jr. Metal Crusaders, Georgia\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e5030aa760ba70594d033751141ff030f\u0022\u003E4th places \u2013 Team Unearthed Creativity, Washington\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInnovation Project Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ef4780e596122934ec5c7f78a14f6d6cc\u0022\u003E1st place \u2013 Cybertronic, Illinois\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ec7a6e634da06c22fc1932ea3b6837121\u0022\u003E2nd place \u2013 Knockout Knights, Arkansas\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eaff89c2348eee5791c11e6ef428ff849\u0022\u003E3rd place\u0026nbsp;\u2013 Delta Team, Israel\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e47551b5f8074a31b402ad8dd22899df3\u0022\u003E4th place \u2013 Bots N\u2019at, Pennsylvania\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERobot Design Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ee9f0b24a1bb4429b07e77be36c235e93\u0022\u003E1st place \u2013 Raptors.JU, Switzerland\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ed39a10354cd991b079e573836ca5b2bb\u0022\u003E2nd place \u2013 Spirited Kamakura, Japan\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e649a19df5c0041065a7ae7763136cf49\u0022\u003E3rd place \u2013 Kinetic Koalas, Utah\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ee9bf22bab91d2de7b1a415e485fff165\u0022\u003E4th place \u2013 Neon Nerdettes, Massachusetts\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERobot Performance Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e180693c0248f910c13f97e2ee22145bf\u0022\u003E1st place \u2013 TechnoCatz, Florida\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e0f78650bbe1a8f91109e013eba7063f9\u0022\u003E2nd place \u2013 Catskill, Israel\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eea71819b1ffa68b96b795ed5545a5213\u0022\u003E3rd place \u2013 REM-2, Spain\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e49e5306b803f4b32fe2a7c49d08ba343\u0022\u003E4th place \u2013 Tanager All-Starz, Norway\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThe inaugural Georgia Ramblin\u2019 Robots Invitationals connected young innovators from across the globe at Georgia Tech, combining international robotics competition with hands-on STEM learning, campus experiences, and cross-cultural collaboration.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech hosted 48 FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams from 24 countries and 17 states for the inaugural Georgia Ramblin\u2019 Robots Invitationals, celebrating student innovation, engineering, and teamwork."}],"uid":"34907","created_gmt":"2026-07-31 16:53:08","changed_gmt":"2026-08-03 20:26:53","author":"James-Addis Hill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680741":{"id":"680741","type":"image","title":"Jr. Metal Crusaders team","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia\u0027s Jr. Metal Crusaders team competed at the Georgia Ramblin\u0027 Robots Invitationals.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1785516803","gmt_created":"2026-07-31 16:53:23","changed":"1785787430","gmt_changed":"2026-08-03 20:03:50","alt":"Image of Jr. Metal Crusaders team during the Georgia Ramblin\u0027 Robots Invitationals. 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