Coaches Announced for Three Lakes LEGO First Program
August 7, 2025
A new wave of innovation and teamwork is taking root in Three Lakes as the first ever 4-H/FIRST Lego League Challenge team, made up of middle school youth from the Three Lakes area, has started their first-ever season of robotics! This dynamic group of six youth, who will be guided by adult 4-H volunteer coaches Brendan Tuckey and Nate Koch, will be diving into the world of robotics, coding, and creative problem-solving.
This exciting new opportunity would not have been possible without the generous support of the Three Lakes Community Foundation, whose investment in local youth helped bring this program to life and is helping shape future leaders and innovators.
The new middle school team will be meeting weekly to design, build, and program, as well as work on activities aimed at helping them develop life skills like communication, teamwork, and goal setting. This year’s theme, “Unearthed,” invites students to delve into the fascinating world of archaeology. Teams will explore how archaeologists uncover the past and preserve history, while using their creativity and engineering skills to solve problems related to excavation, preservation, and storytelling.
The challenge encourages youth to think critically about how technology can help us better understand ancient civilizations and cultural heritage.
“I am thrilled to see so much positive energy from adults in Three Lakes who wanted to help provide this opportunity for young people in their community,” said Anne Williams, Oneida County 4-H Educator. “What’s exciting about this program is that it is more than just robotics—it’s about teamwork, discovery, and developing skills that will serve these kids for a lifetime. We hope this program inspires students to engage more with their community, pursue local educational and career paths, and eventually contribute back—whether as professionals, mentors, or entrepreneurs.”
The Three Lakes middle school team will also be competing alongside another 4-H middle school team from Rhinelander at a regional competition to be held in November, where students will showcase their robot design, coding skills, and innovative solutions to the Unearthed challenge. Top teams can advance to Sectionals and eventually the state competition.
Community members interested in supporting the team or learning more about 4-H are encouraged to go online to https://oneida.extension.wisc.