The Columbia Ridge LEGO Robotics Team competed in the American Robotics Open Championship on June 6-7 at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, joining teams from across the United States in robotics, engineering and innovation challenges.

The event began with a special recognition for the team, which was selected to perform the National Anthem during the Robot Games Opening Ceremonies.

“Being selected to sing the National Anthem was an incredible honor,” Coach Alicia Keegan said. “Watching our team step onto that stage and represent Ephrata was a proud moment for everyone involved.”

In competition, the team recorded its highest Robot Game score of the season, earning a personal-best 180 points. Students also successfully completed every mission they had programmed during at least one competition round, demonstrating the effectiveness of the code they had developed and refined throughout the year.

The team also participated in a 30-minute judging session without coaches or parents present. Students presented their innovation project, a hydration vest designed to help archaeologists remain safe and hydrated while working on excavation sites. They also explained their robot design, including the attachments and strategies developed to complete competition missions.

The nine-member team earned its berth at the national open invitational after receiving the Engineering Excellence Award at the Eastern Washington State Championship in Spokane earlier this year.

The American Robotics Open Championship provided students an opportunity to apply engineering, coding, problem-solving and presentation skills while collaborating and competing with peers from across the country.