First Lego League

First Lego League is an academic competition that allows kids ages 9-14* to compete in groups of up to ten with robots they have built and programmed using the tool set of the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System. Students spend 8 weeks learning technology, science, and engineering while also learning persistence, planning, and creativity with an emphasis on teamwork. They are given a challenge project which requires research in addition to actual construction to prepare for competition.

Applications for teams are accepted from May through September, and each team must have at least one coach.

For additional information on First Lego League of MN and for online registration (which begins in May for the following school year), please refer to their website, www.firstlegoleague.org

For information about other programs by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) go to www.usfirst.org

*Junior First Lego League provides students ages 6-9 with a mini challenge based on the actual research project of the older students. Each group of up to 5 students (with adult mentor) will spend a month preparing and building a LEGO model, along with an accompanying poster. Registration for this pilot program begins in August 2005 in select sites.

The following are comments from some past team members:

Sam K.:  First Lego League is a competition where you are on a team and you make a robot out of Legos that completes different tasks. My favorite part about Lego League was that we got to be very creative. The tasks I thought were really easy when I read about them were a challenge when we attempted them. I liked the challenge.

Kyle M.:  I’ve learned many things. I’ve learned trouble-shooting, not to get disappointed if things don’t go the way you planned and how teamwork is important. All of these things are good life skills. These things are what helped us to do so well in the competition. Now we are going to the state tournament. That is what I’m proud of.

Jack S.:  We won the teamwork award at the regional tournament because we all worked together and didn’t get angry at each other when we had problems. The mission to rescue the scientist took a long time to program. When we changed from the light sensor to the timer program we were all excited it worked!

Parry C.:  My favorite parts of First Lego League are the Legos, the team and everything else. It is very, very fun. This is my second year. It is so cool!!!

Bjorn B.:  Arctic Impact was this year’s competition. We use the RCX robot to do missions like fuel barrels. We have to get 10 fuel barrels into a big base platform. Each mission has its own unique challenge.