WILDCAT WORKSHOP

ROboTICS

Marian Anderson sponsors robotics teams in two categories of the FIRST LEGO League (FLL).

FIRST LEGO League Explore (grades 2-3)
FIRST LEGO League Challenge (grades 4-8)

Our teams participate in qualifying events and showcases each December.

FLL Explore: Grades 2-3

Students in FLL Explore work in teams of up to 6 to showcase skills and design solutions across five categories through a presentation for judges:

Challenge solution
Team model
Coding
Team poster
Core values (teamwork, inclusion, impact, fun, discovery, innovation)

FLL Challenge: Grades 4-8

Students in FLL Challenge work in teams of up to 10 to showcase skills and design solutions across four categories through competitive events and a team presentation:

Robot design
Robot game
Innovation design
Core values (teamwork, inclusion, impact, fun, discovery, innovation)

Fall 2025 Regional Qualifying Tournament and Festival

Eight FLL Explore and four FLL Challenge participated in the regional qualifying tournament and festival in Bensalem in December.

Fall 2025 After School Clubs

More than 60 Marian Anderson students participated in an after school robotics club in fall 2025.

Special thanks to parent coaches Ms. Alex, Ms. Kira, Mr. Andrew, Mr. David, Ms. Myers, Ms. Ruth, Ms. Sophia, and Mr. Tony; Drexel co-op student Mr. Mark; Penn Engineering student volunteers; MANAS; Lori and Mark Fife Foundation; Donors to Mr. Smith's Donors Choose projects; and Philadelphia Robotics Coalition for supporting this program.

MANAS organized a Barnes and Noble Bookfair in October with the theme "DIG INTO A GOOD BOOK" to support our robotics season focused on archaeology.

Fall 2024 Regional Qualifying Tournament and Festival

Six teams from Marian Anderson competed in a FIRST LEGO League Challenge qualifying tournament at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy on Saturday, December 7. Seven team participated in the FIRST LEGO League Explore event that same day.

Fall 2024 After School Clubs

More than 70 Marian Anderson students participated in an after school robotics club during the 2024-25 school year.

Special thanks to teacher coaches Ms. Gordon and Ms. Sterling; parent coaches Ms. Alex, Ms. Kira, Mr. Ryan, and Ms. Myers; Digital Service Fellows Mr. Habib and Mr. Shamir; Penn Engineering student volunteers; MANAS (formerly FoCA); Neubauer Fellowship; Lori and Mark Fife Foundation; Donors to this Donors Choose project; and Philadelphia Robotics Coalition for supporting this program.

Spring 2024 After School Clubs

Special thanks to teacher Ms. Kessler; parent volunteers Ms. Alexandra, Ms. Kira, and Mr. Ryan; Penn Engineering student volunteers; and donors to this Donors Choose project for supporting this spring offering.

Fall 2023 Philadelphia Qualifying Tournament

Three teams from Marian Anderson competed in a qualifying tournament at Lincoln High School on Sunday, December 10.

Two of our school's three teams (Wildcat 2 and Wildcat 3) tied for 5th place in the challenge event.
One team (Wildcat 2) won first place for robot design and moved on to regional competition in January.

Most importantly, our teams competed with "gracious professionalism"!