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Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School's For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Lego League team, the Irrationals, took second place in Innovative Robot Design in the International FIRST Lego League Competition in Minneapolis, Minn., last weekend.

The international team, comprised of Josh Rauwolf, Fiona Brown, Zeb Bodine, Sam Adam, Matthew Staley and Ian Andrews, competed against more than 60 teams from eight nations in the Lego League competition held May 1-3. Juneau's team competed against and worked with teams from as far away as Mexico, Israel and Iceland.

Parents Dale Staley, a Juneau-Douglas High School vice principal, and Leora Houtary, an engineer with Murray & Associates of Juneau, served as coaches for the international team. Dzantik'i Heeni teacher Dawn Momblow coached the team from its inception through the state competition in Anchorage in January, where The Irrationals qualified for the international open.

Students were asked to use robotics to understand and create solutions for energy management and conservation. Teams had to accomplish "missions," such as deploying solar panels on houses, hydro- dams, wind turbines and planting trees. Teams programmed robots to find sustainable options to meet growing energy needs in environmentally sound ways.

The Irrationals also conducted an energy audit of Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School and presented their findings earlier this year to government, civic and business groups.

According to Staley, the judges were especially impressed that the Juneau team redesigned its robot after qualifying for the international competition.

"They redesigned their original robot 'Howard' to be more efficient and lighter, making the new robot faster and more versatile," Staley said. Robot Howard became Robot Haley for the international event, he said.

"For most of us the highlight wasn't winning a trophy," said team member Matthew Staley. "It was working with other kids from around the world and seeing the international teams win trophies," he said. "I think it was cool that teams from all over the US, Mexico, Columbia and Israel all came there speaking different languages and we all had a lot in common." The team from Germany won the overall competition, he said.

"What stood out for me was the Alliance Competition," she said, "where they pair you up with three other teams and you all work together to accomplish the same missions. It was really fun," said team member Fiona Brown.

"It was cool to see the team from Mexico also did an energy audit and had many of the same problems we found in Alaska," Matthew Staley said. "It's the same issues and kids there are working on solutions as well."

According to Houtary, the generosity of community businesses and individuals helped make the international win possible. "We really appreciated all of the donations we received," she said.

"I am so proud of our students," said schools Superintendent Peggy Cowan. "Placing in an international science and technology competition is a wonderful accomplishment."

Dzantik'i Heeni Principal Barb Mecum also thanked the team's original coach, Dawn Momblow, who worked with the Irrationals early on. "Everyone on the team and everyone who supported the team should feel very proud," Mecum said.