The Big Bot Theory won an Innovation Solution Award, the only robotics team in Spokane Public Schools to be given an award at the First Lego League Robotics competition in Ellensburg on Jan. 17.

The 10-member team won for their invention, the "Binder Pad" - a notebook binder that holds an iPad in protected pocket.

Team members include fourth graders Morgan Barnet and Jonathon Love; fifth graders Brenna Houk, Yakoba Mleha, Hailey Paris and Devon Thompson; and sixth graders Noah Flett, Nathaniel Nickell, Mayah Valenciano and Lyndon Paris.

While on their way to the competition, the team received word they'd received a provisional patent for their invention. That patent is good for a year while the kids and their adult partners work on fundraising and production.

"We are contacting a manufacturer to see how much it would cost to make, and "filming a YouTube commercial about the Binder Pad," said robotics coach Emily O'Halloran.

The team is done traveling competitions, but they have applied for a First Lego League global innovation award.

"We submit our invention and all our information, and hopefully someone likes it," O'Halloran said.

 

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