Newfane's Lego League
FLL, first established by FRC founder Dean Kamen, has ignited as much a spark in young minds interest in technology, as FRC has with young adults that in 2005 it impacted some 45,000 kids from nations across the world, truly capturing the FIRST principle.
Newfane's FLL team, started in 2002 with Newfane's Unit of Northtown's Boy's and Girl's Club, headed by Kathleen Libensberger from 2002-2005. The team quickly gained a reputation not only in the small community, but also in the FLL community, receiving awards of distinction, notably in Orlando 2005. In summer of 2005 at Newfane Town Rec, the Circuit Stompers took the Jr. Stompers back under their wing as Ryan Lanighan, a senior from the team, became the mentor. A robotics program was put on and the kids completed the 2003 challenge, Mission Mars in just four weeks! Cookies and milk were served at a presentation that was put on for Newfane's Golden Agers that demonstrated to the community just what these kids could do.
When our local Boys and Girls Club closed, the Newfane Lego League became dormant. In 2008 with the support of Newfane Middle School Principal Tom Adams, our school board authorized the addition of a Lego League for our Middle School Students.The Circuit Stompers solicitated financial assistance for the team's registration from the local Masonic Lodge. Under the direction of technology teacher Mark Franchini, the Panther Invaders Lego Leaguers worked to meet the challenge of Climate Connections. While working on the challenge, the Panther Invaders were assisted by members of the Circuit Stompers. It is great to have a Lego Team in Newfane again!