Over 600 youth from 89 FIRST LEGO League Challenge and 5 FIRST LEGO League Explore teams came together to showcase their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills and creativity on Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22, 2025, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Campus.
Coordinated in the state by Nebraska 4-H, part of the university’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, FIRST LEGO League features youth in grades 4-8 who work in teams to solve robotics challenges using LEGO Mindstorms technology. Participants develop and showcase skills in science, technology, engineering and math while exploring potential career paths.
This year’s FIRST LEGO League theme was “Submerged,” in which students were addressing challenges related to the oceans. New this season, teams gathered in mini-play sessions rather than regional qualifiers. This allowed teams to prepare for the championship in a low-pressure environment while connecting with other youth from their regions. All teams were able to register for the championship.
The FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship was part of the second annual 4-H Robotics Expansion Event at the university. The broader event, focused on robotics innovation and collaboration, allowed youth to engage with and learn from UNL experts and other STEM professionals.
Event partners included Nebraska Extension, the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, College of Engineering, Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Department of Statistics, Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corporation, Nucor, Northeast Community College, Huffman Engineering Inc., Rensenhouse, Nebraska Innovation Studios, Don’t Panic Labs, Mason Road Manufacturing, Colewell Automation, Fanuc and Nebraska FIRST Tech Challenge.
The following awards were presented:
VOLUNTEER AWARDS
10-Year Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Volunteers
- Ella Shepherd, Referee
- Danita Wickens, Judge
- Karly Black, Game Announcer
- Trevor Tyler, Judge and Judge Advisor
Outstanding Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Volunteers
- Shelia Hoppe
- Samuel Shepherd
- Tracie Tyler
- Alyssa Neff
- William Wilton
COACH AWARDS
15-Year Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Coaches
- Brent Schaeffer, Teams 8664 and 48293
- Tony Reisdorff, Teams 36496(HC) & 28109(AC)
- Tami Brandl, Team 5553 A’ROR’N Bots
- Sarah Zook, Team 43707 and 43708
10-Year Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Coach
- Coach Christine Redemske, Team 15990
5-Year Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Coaches
- Coach Rachel Fleischmann, Team 15990
- Coach Cody Creech, Team 21831
- Coach Nick Behring, Team 49358
- Coach Sandy Miller, Team 59094
- Coach Lori McCarthy, Teams 13635, 14088 & 69234
- Coach Andrew Utecht, Teams 42617
Coach/Mentor Award
- Sonya Thompkins, Team 62962 Error Terrors
- Susan Connell, Team 27146 Hyannis Sandbots
- Keith Marshall, Team 63856 Poseidon Tridents
- Jennifer Weiland, Team 56641 Nano Knights
- Mike Jensen, Team 49447 Sacred Heart Pantherbots
TEAM AWARDS
Champions Award
- 1st Place - 54972 Lord of the Gummies
- 2nd Place - 28695 Beat Bots
- 3rd Place - 21831 Panhandle Cookie Bytes
- 4th Place - 63321 Code Huskers
Motive Award
- 46250 Irish 3
- 68284 D.O.L.P.H.I.N.S.S.
Rising All-Star Award
- 62716 Washington County 4-H
- 52642 The Marine Machines
Engineering Excellence Award
- 56958 Sea Grinders
- 58713 Roomba Uprising
Breakthrough Award
- 59094 ShamRockin' Robotics
- 69439 Garden County Wranglers
Robot Performance Award
- 1st Place - 21831 Panhandle Cookie Bytes
- 2nd Place - 28695 Beat Bots
- 3rd Place - 56641 NANO KNIGHTS
- 4th Place - 56085 BRICK FORCE
Robot Design Award
- 1st Place - 5553 A'ROR'N Bots
- Finalist - 42411 Mad Scientists
- Finalist - 28655 Tiny but Smart
- Finalist - 11680 Kimbots
Nebraska Innovation Award
- 1st Place - 28695 Beat Bots
- Nominee - 33850 Pixelated Hawks
- Nominee - 54972 Lord of the Gummies
- Nominee - 21831 Panhandle Cookie Bytes
- Nominee - 45667 Mario Makers
- Nominee - 63321 CodeHuskers
- Nominee - 54788 Norris Titan Engineers
- Nominee - 56958 Sea Grinders
- Nominee - 15990 Riptide Rexes
- Nominee - 59094 ShamRockin' Robotics
- Nominee - 21217 Big Brain Burritos
Innovation Project Award
- 1st Place - 62962 Error Terrors
- Finalist - 15990 Riptide Rexes
- Finalist - 21217 Big Brain Burritos
- Finalist - 63856 The Poseidon Tridents
Core Values Award
- 1st Place - 43559 Sting Ray
- Finalist - 68397 CCS Robotics #2
- Finalist - 45667 Mario Makers-Boone County 4-H Robortics
- Finalist - 54788 Norris Titan Engineers
Team Ambassador Award
- 49447 Sacred Heart Pantherbots
STEM Advocate Award
- 48569 Bionic Buffalos
Community Connections Award
- 68753 Tigers 1
Peer Award
- 57247 Hall County RoboBees
Best Pit Design Award
- 56641 Nano Knights
