The N.E.R.D.S. Robotics team from Conception Junction, Missouri, including Lyndon Haden, Andy Lager, and Nolan Wallace, advanced to the state competition after winning the first place Innovate Award at the FIRST Tech Challenge KC East League Tournament in Belton. Mentored by Royce Cozine, Dottie Nelson, and Jerry Nelson, the team secured an automatic qualification for state by being in an alliance with the winning team and accumulating 63 points, placing them third overall. The N.E.R.D.S. team, which stands for Novice Engineer Robot Design Society, demonstrated their robotics skills and innovation, earning recognition for their achievements in the competition.
