The Pierce Panthers looked on as their robot made its way to release the medical supplies.

It had just rescued the scientists from the polar bears and was turning itself around. As it turned, however, it could not find its mark and ended up stuck next to the wall.

Time ran out and the Panthers’ run was over.

This was the second of three runs for Pierce Elementary’s robot. The Panthers were participating in the FIRST Lego League `Arctic Impact’ Competition on Saturday in the Howe Hall atrium.

The league is a competition created by FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – and the Lego Company to help students learn about science and technology. It allows students ages 9-14 to use Lego’s Mindstorms Robotics System to build and program their own robot to solve a series of tasks.

Students then compete against other schools in a variety of events throughout the day, according to the organization’s Web site, www.firstlego league.org.

In addition to running their robots through the missions, students are judged on programming, mechanical and creativity skills and presentation.

Although the league started in 1998, this is the first competition in Iowa. Jenny Golder, senior in computer engineering, helped find and organize the event for Iowa State.

“I was disappointed to find that Iowa had no teams or competition,” Golder said. “So I helped set up teams in Ames, and we were going to have to go to Minnesota to compete. When I found out there were other teams in Iowa interested, I said, `We’re having our own tournament.’ “

Two teams from Ames Middle School, the Blue and Green Gators, participated, along with the Rescue Rams from Wilson Elementary and the Pierce Panthers from Pierce Elementary, both in Cedar Rapids.

Patty Kucera, fourth-grade teacher at Pierce, said the competition started long before Saturday for her students.

“We had an application for students to be on the team,” she said. “They had to tell us what they thought their qualifications were and what they brought to the team.”

Trevor Otto, a fifth grader, and Ashley Harris, a fourth-grader, were constructors for the Panthers team.

“We would have team meetings and the programmers would tell us what they needed,” Trevor said. “We would then go to the robot and add in the parts and tell them how it worked.”

Trevor and Ashley said they were enjoying the day, even though their first run didn’t go as well as they hoped.

“It’s been a busy day so far,” Ashley said, “and it’s only going to get busier.”

Trevor said the competition was a good learning experience.

“We learned a lot about programming and gears ratios, which should help us in the years to come,” he said.

To help students understand everything they are doing and help them work through problems, the schools are partnered with a sponsor. Rockwell-Collins was Pierce’s sponsor.

“Rockwell had a volunteer sheet up, and I thought being the first year, it would be interesting to do,” said Troy Mundt, the Panthers’ sponsor from Rockwell. “It has been really good working with the kids, and they have done more than expected and had great attitudes.”

While the judges were still discussing who won what, the kids laughed and cheered to pictures from the day, all set to Styx’s song `Mr. Roboto.’ Golder finally made it back with the judge’s results. Before announcing winners, she asked what the kids thought of the day and was promptly greeted with claps, cheers and shouts of “fun!”

The Rescue Rams had not only the best mechanical design, but an almost flawless performance from their robot in the mission, securing them the Director’s Award. But no team went away empty handed, as each won at least one award. The Panthers headed away with several, including the People’s Choice and Hypothesis awards.

In the end, Trevor said, the awards ceremony was the highlight of the day. Ashley said she enjoyed when their robot went through its runs, despite the few problems it encountered.

And both said they would like to make it back again next year.

After the competition, Golder summed up the day as best she could.

“It has just been an awesome day full of engineering fun.”