Liberty Common Robotics Teams Excel Across All Levels

FLL Explore (Grades 1–4)

On Sat 25 OCT 2025, the high-school robotics team hosted its fourth-annual Liberty Common FLL Explore Expo, a celebration of creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.  Seven teams, made up of thirty students from the Aristotle and Plato campuses, proudly presented their innovation stories and demonstrated the programs they worked diligently to build.

A special "thank you" goes to team LASER whose members served as coaches inspiring Liberty's youngest engineers to explore the exciting world of robotics.

FLL Challenge (Grades 4–8)

On Sat 1 NOV 2025, five Liberty FLL Challenge robotics teams competed at the Poudre Qualifier.  It was a tough tournament and each team represented Liberty Common School with character, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm. Thank you to the dedicated parent-volunteer coaches for their guidance and support in helping these teams grow and succeed.

• Row 1:
  • The Powerful Programmers – 1st-Place Robot Design, 2nd-Place Robot Points, ticket to the state tournament
• Teammates: Oliver Moore, Parker Smith, Reed Raile, Kepler Wyatt, Blake Bethel, Hudson Yaege, Evan Dickinson, and Alex McRae. Coaches: Andrew Moore, Matt Raile, and Jon Smith
• Row 2:
  • FOCO-Robo.AI – 1st-Place Champions Award, 1st-Place Robot Performance, ticket to the state tournament
  • Teammates: Owen Cooper, Elise Henrion, Sophie Henrion, Jocelyn Stewart, Cayla Ulrey, and Bri Ulrey. Coaches: Brandon Cooper, Carson Henrion, and David Stewart
• Row 3:
  • Robo Eagles – 1st-Place Core Values, 4th-Place Robot Performance, ticket to the state competition
  • Teammates: Joy Barnhardt, Nyra Verma, Aditi Mathur, Annalise Tourney, Lillian Whitman, Sarah Foster, Reagan Nowland, and Aviella Chavez. Coaches: Danny Barnhardt and Sourabh Verma
• Row 4:
  • Right side: BroBots – Peer-to-Peer Award for showing gracious professionalism and teamwork throughout the day
    • Teammates:  TeeJay Holmes, Grant Latham, Will Auble, JC Herman, Isaiah Bigger, Colton Green, Matthew Felix, and James Huntington. Coaches: Stephen Holmes and Corbin Latham.
  • Left side: Brick Nerd Brigade
    • Teammates: Mariia Tartakovska, Archer Canda, Lucas Colo, Caleb and Hudson McClarty, Zayn Raser, Judah Barber and Joey Barber

FIRST Tech Challenge (9th – 12th grades)

In addition to coaching and mentoring future generations of Liberty engineers, the LCHS robotics team LASER has been actively engaging with the Fort Collins professional-engineering community.  The team has been exploring a variety of engineering disciplines to gain a broad understanding of what engineers do in their daily work as well as learning about different educational and career paths available to them.

To support this goal, LASER has formed partnerships with several engineering firms to tour their facilities and see professional engineering in action. The team is always eager to connect with more organizations—any company interested in hosting a tour or presentation, please contact the team at laserrobotics@libertycommon.org.

Lincoln Electric Automation

Recently, students toured Lincoln Electric Automation where they learned how the company designs and builds specialized robotic-welding systems for industrial and military applications. During the visit, students explored various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, robotics, materials, and programming, and gained insight into the day-to-day work of professional engineers.  A special thank you to Mr. Smith, Director of Operations at Lincoln Electric for the fun and informative tour.

Poudre River Kayak Park

Next, the team learned how the Poudre River was diverted and enhanced to create the Poudre River Kayak Park in north Fort Collins. During the visit, students discovered the many specialties within the civil-engineering field and how collaboration among multiple companies and engineering disciplines is essential to completing a complex project like this.  They also learned about the process of uncovering historical artifacts during construction and the importance of preserving these discoveries.  A special "thank you" to Mr. Smith, Program Manager at J-U-B Engineers, Inc., for sharing his expertise and guiding the team through this fascinating project.

Andruil

Finally, the team toured Anduril Industries in north Fort Collins where its members learned how complex-applied mathematics, electrical engineering, and software development come together to solve advanced-radar challenges for the military. The visit offered students a fascinating look into the cutting edge of defense technology and demonstrated the importance of teamwork, determination, and perseverance in tackling engineering problems.  A special "thank you" to Mr. Everett, Senior Program Manager, and Mr. Oakley, Senior Engineer, for providing such an engaging and insightful tour.

Pictured: The famous sword from the Lord of the Rings series—the namesake of the company.