A Smart Move
Young students will learn the importance of transportation efficiency and team building at the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) State Championship at UMBC on Saturday, January 30. The competition stresses the importance of education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), helping students collaborate and develop necessary skills at an early age.
Sixty four teams (chosen from qualifying rounds) will compete by building programmable, motorized robots from LEGOs while researching and reporting on specific topics. The theme of this year’s season is “Smart Move” and focuses on modes of transportation. Teams are judged on the technical characteristics of their robot, how well it performs tasks, the quality of the team’s project and how well the team works together.
The competition has become increasingly popular over the years.
“If you have not seen one of these competitions, go,” said Jonathan Wray, secondary mathematics instructional facilitator for Howard County Public Schools. “It rivals American Gladiators and any other major competitive sports event.”
“We’ve grown from less than 100 teams last year to more than 160 FLL teams in Maryland,” said Anne Spence, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and FLL affiliate partner for Maryland. “That growth partly reflects increased interest in science, technology and engineering among students and educators – and because FLL is a lot of fun.”
Spence’s research focuses on the awareness and interest in engineering career opportunities for students in K-16 with the hope of increasing their participation in all areas of engineering. Her efforts are being developed in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education, local educational agencies, community colleges, other four-year institutions and key businesses.
Also included at the championship will be a FIRST Robotics Competition, an engineering program for high school students; the FIRST Tech Challenge, a mid-level and affordable robotics competition for high school students; and an expo by the Junior FIRST LEGO League for children ages 4-9, where they will demonstrate what they’ve learned about alternative energy.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering.
FLL is an international program for children created in partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company in 1998.
The championship will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., in the Retriever Activities Center and is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Anne Spence at aspence@umbc.edu.
(1/19/10)
