The Detroit Lakes Unified Robotics team is celebrating a first-place win at this year’s Minnesota Unified Robotics Tournament, held in Bemidji.
Unified Robotics is a team-based program where neurodiverse students work side-by-side with volunteer partners to build and program a LEGO robot. Inspired by high-school robotics competitions, the program gives teams several weeks to design, test, and refine their robot before competing in a statewide championship.
Community outreach has long been a priority for Detroit Lakes’ Electric Lakers Robotics team. That commitment led them to launch a Unified Robotics program, giving more students in the community the chance to experience STEM and teamwork. Volunteers from the Electric Lakers partner with special-needs students to form Unified Pairs, helping guide each team and keep the projects on track.
On November 22, Detroit Lakes’ Unified teams competed at Bemidji Senior High School in this year’s themed event, “Lord of the Robots,” inspired by “Lord of the Rings.” Detroit Lakes entered two teams—The Ants and Penny on the Floor. The Ants, working in a two-team coalition with the Cambridge, Minnesota Unified team, took home first place.
The Electric Lakers remain active throughout the region, participating in events such as the Becker County Fair, Street Fair at the Lakes, Family Day at the Carnival, and the Holes and Poles Fishing Tournament. The team even refurbished an electric wheelchair and donated it to the Becker County Development Achievement Center.
Electric Lakers coach Christin Mohr, a special education teacher at Detroit Lakes Middle School, shared how proud she is of the students and the positive impact Unified Robotics is having on young people in the area.