Kane County robotics team makes history - heading to international championship!

KANE COUNTY—The Paleo Pangolins, a local FIRST LEGO League ro­botics team, are heading to the world stage! The team, consisting of Reese Josie, James Reed, Britta Heaton, and Anya Heaton, has officially earned a spot at the FIRST LEGO League International Open Cham­pionship in Jalisco, Mexico, and the whole community has reason to cheer!

The Paleo Pangolins (left to right: Reese Josie, James Reed, Britta Heaton, Anya Heaton), a local FIRST LEGO League robotics team, has officially earned a spot at the FIRST LEGO League International Open Championship in Jalisco, Mexico. Photo courtesy of Kane County Robotics League.

The Paleo Pangolins earned their ticket to the global stage by finishing in the top six out of 43 teams at the state tourna­ment, a jaw-dropping feat that makes them the first Kane County team EVER to advance to this level of international competition!

So, what exactly is FIRST LEGO League? It’s an incredible program that challenges young people to design, build and program LEGO-based robots to com­plete exciting themed mis­sions. But it’s not just about robots; teams also dig into real-world problems and pitch creative solutions to a panel of judges. This year’s theme, UNEARThed™, sent teams on an archaeo­logical adventure, explor­ing the past to unlock new ideas about the world we live in today.

Led by coaches Daniel and Analise Heaton, the Paleo Pangolins wowed everyone with their team­work, creativity and never-give-up attitude all season long. Their incredible run is a shining example of what’s possible when young people have access to strong robot­ics and STEM programs, and it wouldn’t have hap­pened without the tire­less support of volunteer coaches, proud families and a community that showed up every step of the way.

The team will travel to Jalisco, Mexico, May 27 - 30, 2026, for the prestigious FIRST LEGO League Inter­national Open Champion­ship. More than 80 teams from over 20 countries are expected to compete in this massive global robotics event, organized in col­laboration with Fundación RobotiX. Young innovators from every corner of the world will come together to share ideas, tackle robotics challenges and celebrate what happens when curios­ity and teamwork collide.

Kane County 4-H couldn’t be prouder of the Paleo Pan­golins and their coaches! Getting to this level takes countless hours of learning, collaboration and problem-solving, and this team put in every single one. They’re not just representing Kane County on the world stage; they’re inspiring the next generation of young inno­vators right here at home.

As the Paleo Pangolins gear up for the adventure of a lifetime, their story is already one for the Kane County record books. It’s proof that with dedication, teamwork and a commu­nity that believes in its kids, there’s no limit to what can be achieved.

Go, Paleo Pangolins, Kane County is rooting for you!