Mindstorms Mayhem members Melissa Gray and Katie Hammes before the start of the final round. The team of homeschoolers won the state title for the third year in a row.

Mayhem Again
Homeschoolers win state LEGO title for third year in a row, eye world round

The Cabinet - December 8, 2005

MILFORD - Last spring, they were only second in the world. Believe it or not, that was something of a step down for the Mindstorms Mayhem FIRST LEGO team that had finished first in the world in 2004.

In April, this team of homeschooled students from several southern New Hampshire communities have a shot at reclaiming their world championship, thanks to taking the state title (known as the Director's Award) last weekend at the BAE Systems FIRST LEGO League tournament at Nashua High School.

The team is eligible to go to Atlanta for the world tournament.

The team's state LEGO project dealt with producing electricity from the oceans in a challenge called "Ocean Odyssey." Mindstorms Mayhem, and its companion team of younger students -- More Mayhem (which finished first in Robot Performance) -- had to research an ocean activity or resource and trace its impact on the health, biodiversity, and productivity of the oceans.

Using robots, they had to complete a series of simulated underwater tasks.

Charlotte Gray, who handles publicity for the home-school teams, attributed their continued success to "excellent coaches who really work with the kids as far as practices, getting them to understand the programs, and really inspire the kids to a high level of performance. The kids rise to their level."

Mindstorms Mayhem is coached by Ken Streeter of Bedford and Bill Gray of Milford.

More Mayhem is coached by Streeter and Gray with assistance from Mark Ericson of Amherst and Jon Coffman of Hampstead.

Student mentors that helped this year are Lauren Gray, Milford; Nathan Gray, Milford; Ben Streeter, Bedford; Christopher Jennings, Merrimack; Brittany Jennings, Merrimack.

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NH State Tournament Results

Director's Award
  1st Place
    Mindstorms Mayhem
    Milford Area Youth Homeschoolers Enriching Minds
  2nd Place
    Mach 6
    Manchester Church of Christ

Technical Awards
  Robot Performance Awards
    1st Place
      More Mayhem
      Milford Area Youth Homeschoolers Enriching Minds
    2nd Place
      The NERDS
      NH Robotics Institute, Windham
    3rd Place
      Mindstorms Mayhem
      Milford Area Youth Homeschoolers Enriching Minds
    4th Place
      Mach 6
      Manchester Church of Christ

Robot Design Awards
    1st Place
      The Nerds
      NH Robotics Institute, Windham
    2nd Place
      Pirate Hogs
      Safford School, Hollis
    3rd Place
      Scorpacudas
      Neighborhood Team, Brookline

Team Performance Awards
  Project Awards
    1st Place
      The Sea Urchins
      Elm St. Middle School, Nashua
    2nd Place
      More Mayhem
      Milford Area Youth Homeschoolers Enriching Minds
    3rd Place
      Inventioneers
      No town listed

Teamwork
    1st Place
      Technical Difficulty
      South Meadow School, Peterborough
    2nd Place
      Flying Geeks
      Nashua Christian Academy
    3rd Place
      Hampstead Hackers
      Hampstead Academy

Special Recognition
  Outstanding Volunteer Award
    Brian Lee
  Young Adult Coach / Mentor
    Brittany Jennings
    Milford Area Youth Homeschoolers Enriching Minds
  Adult Coach / Mentor Award
    Kevin Desaulniers
    Presentation of Mary Academy
  Team Spirit Award
    Shmieglhumberflu
    No Town Listed

Judge Awards
  Rookie Inspiration
    Chaotic Robotics
    New Boston
  Gracious Professionalism
    Top Blocks
    Caring Kids 4H, Brentwood
  Creative Style
    DigiDudes
    No town listed
  Innovative Solution
    And the Cat
    Homeschool Team, Strafford

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