Earlier this season, we shared the story of how a First Lego League (FLL) team from Joseph P. Liberati Intermediate School in Center Valley, Pennsylvania used Americover’s reinforced plastic sheeting to design and test a geodesic dome prototype for real-world archaeological applications. What started as a hands-on classroom experiment quickly became something much bigger.
Today, we’re excited to share an update—and it’s one worth celebrating.
A Season of Growth, Grit, and Breakthroughs
The school’s FLL team, known as the Ancient Pickles, has been thriving throughout the competition season. After earning first place at their local competition, the team advanced to the regional championships, where they placed within the top 18 out of 60 teams across eastern Pennsylvania—a remarkable achievement on its own.
Their momentum didn’t stop there.
At the State Championship competition, the Ancient Pickles were honored with the Breakthrough Award, a recognition reserved for teams that demonstrate exceptional growth, learning, and resilience.
The Breakthrough Award celebrates teams that embrace challenges, develop new skills, and prioritize discovery over winning. It recognizes meaningful progress in areas such as innovation, teamwork, enthusiasm, and problem-solving—values that sit at the heart of FIRST LEGO League and STEM education as a whole.
Why Access to Real Materials Matters
In her update, STEM coach Julianne Gallagher shared that having access to Americover’s materials played a meaningful role in the team’s success. Being able to test real products allowed students to better understand real-world applications, refine their ideas, and collaborate more effectively as a team.
This hands-on experience helped bridge the gap between theory and practice—turning abstract engineering concepts into tangible learning moments. It reinforced the idea that innovation isn’t just about winning competitions, but about learning, adapting, and building confidence through experimentation.
What’s Next for the Ancient Pickles
The competition season isn’t over yet.
The team will face up to 60 of the top teams in Pennsylvania at their upcoming State Championship event on Valentine’s Day. Alongside their competition efforts, the students are also taking their advocacy beyond the arena. Next week, they’ll be presenting to their local school board on the importance of STEM funding and support, encouraging expanded access to these programs for more students across the district.
While a presentation to Pennsylvania archaeological organizations is still being explored—competition schedules have extended the season—the team remains committed to pushing their innovation toward real-life application.
Lasting Impact Beyond the Competition
For Americover, this project has always been about more than materials. As Julianne shared, the time, resources, and encouragement provided helped create lasting memories and meaningful learning experiences for the students. These five kids didn’t just compete—they grew, collaborated, and discovered what’s possible when curiosity meets opportunity.
We’re proud to have played a small role in a journey that continues to inspire growth, confidence, and a passion for real-world problem-solving.
At Americover, we believe in helping people build with trust and grow with confidence—whether that’s on a jobsite, in the field, or in a classroom full of future engineers. We look forward to cheering on the Ancient Pickles as their season continues and to supporting the next generation of innovators wherever their ideas lead.
If you’re developing a project, prototype, or case study and need help selecting materials, Americover is always happy to be a resource. From samples to product guidance, our team is here to support learning, innovation, and real-world applications.