A team of seven students from Dolores formed the Bear Hands robotics squad, which is competing in this year’s FIRST Lego League competition. This year’s projects focus on archaeology challenges and Lego-built robots.
Student-built robots will perform tasks such as sliding, lifting, pushing and pulling. Each team receives three 2½-minute matches to complete as many missions as possible.
Beyond robotics, students must develop an innovation project. In it, they identify an archaeology problem, conduct research and propose solutions, including prototypes when applicable. Teams present their findings to judges, followed by a question-and-answer session.
The name Bear Hands was inspired by the Dolores school mascot and this year’s theme, “Unearthed: Finding Challenges in Archeology.” The seven members are in fifth through eighth grade.
“This year's Dolores team chose the punny name of ‘Bear Hands’ using the school's mascot and archeology theme as inspiration,” Coach Chantel Otteson told The Journal. “They even designed a team logo with each symbol standing for different values they strive to project like teamwork, strength and wisdom.”
The team has two parent coaches, Chantel Otteson and Brody Otteson, and is mentored by local archaeologists Patricia Lacey and Carolyn Goff at meetings.
The team is sponsored by Pinhead Institute, a nonprofit that supports five FIRST Lego League teams in Cortez, Telluride, Norwood, Nucla/Naturita, Ouray, Ridgway and Dolores, according to Otteson.
“They work hard to make everything completely free for the students and their families, including FIRST registrations, the robotic components, snacks and even team T-shirts,” Otteson said. “However, they rely heavily on volunteers, such as parents-turned-coaches, to make the teams happen.”
Chantel Otteson said students are working hard to program, research and build their robots ahead of the Nov. 15 qualifier at Escalante Middle School in Durango. She noted that the top two or three teams from the event will advance to the state competition in Denver on Dec. 6.
Practices started in September after the theme was announced. Students meet twice a week after school at Dolores Elementary School.
