The Discovery Storm Troopers with team Coach Steven Horowitz won the “Innovation and Strategic Solutions” award at the Discovery LEGO Tournament. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – ‘Robo Panther’ may sound like the latest concoction in movies on SyFy, but it’s actually the robot that led to awards for Discovery Middle School.

Robo Panther and the Discovery Storm Troopers team won the “Innovation and Strategic Solutions” award at the Discovery LEGO Tournament, which was held at the school in Madison during December.

“There were approximately 20 teams representing schools or organizations in the area and from out of state,” faculty sponsor Kelly Archer said. “Thus, there were 150 to 200 people at Discovery for this competition. Discovery regularly supports this event.”

Members of the Discovery Storm Troopers team are Amber Gao, sixth grade; Ward Lenoir, Quinn Horowitz and Corbin Fawcett, seventh grade; and Kevin Gao and Gabriel Abantao, eighth grade.

“Coach Steven Horowitz is an experienced LEGO Robotics coach,” Archer said. Horowitz is the father of one of the Discovery team members.

Archer quoted the core value that the team uses: “We are a team, we have fun with gracious professionalism, and what we learn is more important then what we win.”

“Two sets of parents were key to the success of this ‘mission,’ James and Ellen Lenoir and Gregory and Sulinda Fawcett,” Archer said.

Students engaged in robotics can broaden their understanding of Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines. The experience spurs students’ creativity and respect for fellow team members.

The Discovery LEGO Robotics Team qualified to advance to the State Final LEGO Robotics competition, which Grissom High School will host on Jan. 25.