LEGOS are a whole lot more these days than fun building blocks used to occupy a kid’s time.

Just ask the Clear Lake Elementary Robotics team.

The team impressed the judges at First LEGO League (FLL) qualifying event held at Armada High School on Dec. 3. It placed among the top six teams at the event, which qualified them for an upcoming state tournament.

FLL is a competition for fourth through eighth-graders.

During the qualifying event, after competing against 25 other teams from the area, the Clear Lake Elementary Robotics team also received the “Gracious Professionalism” Award, which recognized the team’s ability to compete while treating others with respect and kindness.

The Clear Lake Elementary Robotics team consists of Camren Bivens, Jenna Christoff, Jenna Duong, Natasha Dysarz, Colton Gilbert, Dana Lee, Luke Lovely, Justin Paslean and Will Philbrick

“As a coach, it’s an honor to go to the state competition knowing 18 other teams didn’t get to go,” said Parent Advisor Debbie Duong. “We’re working hard to improve the robot before the event.”

During FLL competitions, the teams use a computer program called Mindstorm to program the robots they build using LEGO blocks and a special motor. The programs come with predefined tasks that are timed and judged in a head-to-head competition with other teams.

Teams also compete in a problem-solving session in which they are judged on their ability to demonstrate the FLL’s core values.

Judging also weighs robot design, teamwork, collaboration and sportsmanship.

This year’s theme is called Animal Allies, where students program their robots to perform different missions that show how animals and humans can help each other.

For instance, the Clear Lake Robotics team worked to create an app called the Awesome Cougar Tracker (ACT), which helps “track” cougars made from LEGOS, representing the protection of the cougar species in Michigan.

“The most important thing for the kids is to always improve themselves, no matter what level they’re on,” Duong said. “The kids are amazing and they’re very capable of excelling in anything they do.

The nine students will be moving up to the state level and competing in the Michigan FIRST LEGO League Championship B, Saturday, Dec. 17 at Bloomfield Hills High School (4200 Andover Road, Bloomfield Hills).

Entry to the event is free of charge and open to the public.