First LEGO League Robotics Competition

Seattle Public Schools is building a future where STEM learning starts early and the excitement is contagious. What began as a small initiative by the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department to introduce elementary students to robotics has now grown into a districtwide movement. In just two years, the number of schools with robotics programs has doubled, giving hundreds of young learners the chance to explore engineering, programming, and teamwork through the First LEGO League Robotics competition. 

Today, schools from every region in the district are represented. In December, more than 500 SPS students in grades 4–8 gathered at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School for the annual robotics competition. It was a vibrant showcase of creativity and collaboration. The event featured 55 teams from 44 schools, twice the number of schools that participated last year. 

The growth is fueled by an Amazon grant that supports district-wide after-school robotics programs. Teams of up to 10 students met weekly from September through December, designing and programming LEGO robots to tackle this year’s theme: UNEARTHED. 

The UNEARTHED mission challenged students to think like archaeologists. Using LEGO kits, teams built robots capable of completing tasks that simulate artifact preservation and excavation. Along the way, students learned to code, troubleshoot, and innovate — skills that will serve them well beyond the competition. 

“Success mainly means that they feel successful and see themselves as robotics professors, robotics engineers, researchers, scientists,” said Evan Perkiss, the robotics adviser at Orca K-8. “Each year, Lego has a theme. This year, the theme is archaeology. There are two kids on the team who’ve really dug into that theme and love archaeology, and then there are other kids on the team who really love Legos and robots and programming. So, kids get to see themselves in success in different ways.”  

The competition wasn’t just about winning; it was about discovery. Students practiced problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking in a supportive environment. For many, it was their first experience with robotics, and the excitement was palpable as robots navigated obstacle courses and completed intricate missions. 

Parents and educators cheered from the sidelines, proud to see students embrace STEM in such a hands-on way. The event highlighted how early exposure to technology can spark lifelong interest in science and engineering. 

Twelve SPS teams from 10 schools advanced to the semifinals at Lincoln High School on January 24-25. Those teams are:    

• Alki Elementary  
• Catharine Blaine K-8 
• Eckstein Middle School 
• Greenwood Elementary 
• Lafayette Elementary 
• Lowell Elementary 
• Madison Middle School 
• Orca K-8 
• Robert Eagle Staff Middle School 
• Whitman Middle School 

With participation doubling and enthusiasm soaring, SPS is proving that robotics isn’t just for high school students; it’s for every curious mind. As the program continues to grow, the district hopes to inspire even more young innovators to see themselves as future engineers, scientists, and problem solvers.