Patterson Elementary's First Lego Team Goes to FLL State Championship in its inaugural year

January 15, 2025

GILBERT, AZ - Eleven students from Aaron Barnett's fifth-grade class at Patterson Elementary School are building a foundation of success in a brand-new club, The First Lego Team. The team, which is part of the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD), recently qualified for a state competition during the club's inaugural year.

The Patterson team is one of eight in CUSD that are part of the FIRST LEGO League (FLL), which introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on robotics learning experiences. The competitive season lasts from August to January, in partnership with Microchip and Arizona State University.

Lessons with Legos

Legos have come far since the square and primary color days that Mr. Barnett remembers. Nowadays, Legos feature intricate designs, structures, and shapes that students can learn from while having fun.

For the competition, students follow detailed schematics and directions to construct Lego "Mission Builds". To complete these complex missions, the builds must interact with a robot which is also made of Legos. Once the Lego structures and the robot are assembled, students code the bot to accomplish tasks on the game board. This year, the FLL theme is "Submerged," focusing on all things related to the ocean. 

"The entire team has been awesome," said Barnett. "They interact respectfully, listen to all ideas, and have a blast along the way."

Barnett said the most impressive part of their success is how well his students work together and display what the FLL calls “Gracious Professionalism.” This characteristic represents how students work together to solve problems, encourage each other through difficult tasks, and celebrate the success of the team. Through this competition, students demonstrate core lessons and school district values, including all the traits that make up the Portrait of a CUSD Learner.

"Qualifying for the FLL State Championship is a testament to Patterson's teamwork, innovation, and excellence in STEM,” said Brian Pomerantz, CUSD STEM Coach K-12. “Their effort aligns with CUSD's Strategic Goal #1, [in which] students and staff engage in meaningful, innovative learning experiences using essential skills and strategies that foster continuous growth, establish pathways to achievement, and develop successful members of local and global communities.” 

The FLL State Championships will be held on Saturday, January 18 at ASU's West Valley campus, 13590 N. 47th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85051, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Barnett said regardless of how the Patterson Pride performs at state, he's proud of how the team vastly exceeded goals and expectations for a new club.

"I am so proud of my students, for their work ethic, and ability to solve real-world complex problems, and have fun while doing so."

In order to pilot the program, Barnett recruited a small group of students in his class. Next school year, he plans on opening Legos Team to all fifth and sixth grade students at Patterson.

About Patterson Elementary

Located at the base of Arizona's San Tan Mountains since 2008, Charlotte Patterson Elementary School is known for founding the first dual-option programming in the area. Parents have the option to enroll their children in either a Classic Patterson or CTA Patterson curriculum. 

Learn more about the school at cusd80.com/patterson.