10th Anniversary FIRST LEGO League Challenge to Address Global Climate Solutions
Robotic solutions and research projects that will address global climate issues are the focus of the 10th Anniversary FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge – “Climate Connections.” With more than 135,000 children ─ from 40 countries, ranging in age from 9 to 14 ─ expected to participate, this Challenge will be the largest to date.
The tenth FLL season will engage teams to compete in hundreds of qualifying events and Championship Tournaments to win honors, as well as the chance to participate at the FIRST LEGO League World Festival, which will be held in conjunction with the FIRST Championship, April 16-18, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
FIRST is partnering with the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, professors at MIT and University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and experts from LEGO Education to develop Challenge missions reflective of the hurdles that scientists face in their study of global climate issues.
“Climate Connections” is a two-part Challenge. In The Project phase, teams will conduct research to identify a problem caused by climate in their area, analyze climate data about the problem, create an innovative solution, and share their research and solution in their community. In The Robot Game, teams will apply science and engineering to master complex missions related to the study of climate, including connecting research resources, minimizing climatic influences, conducting polar experiments, sequestering greenhouse gases, studying wildlife, preparing for climatic conditions, and gathering communities of people.
“Climate Connections” gives children a hands-on, minds-on, real-world experience allowing them to use their imaginations and creativity in combination with science and technology. In addition, the competition gives them an opportunity to work together to experience first-hand the challenges faced by some of the world’s leading scientists. As a result of these competitions, FLL participants develop the curiosity, creative problem-solving skills, and confidence needed to face tomorrow’s challenges.
“For 10 years, our annual Challenges have put kids in the driver’s seat to explore and test solutions in a fun and engaging way. FLL kids are what our society needs to build the workforce of the future in an increasingly competitive global marketplace,” said Dean Kamen, FIRST founder.
In conjunction with the 2008 season Kickoff, FIRST LEGO League is launching a new social site at www.FIRSTLEGOLeague.org. The site establishes a fun and inviting, global, online community where users can learn about the FLL program, see season schedules, register teams, create a team site, or join in on a forum. Teams will also be able to upload avatars, files, and photos all while communicating with their own team members, or with other international teams.
Check out the new FLL 10th anniversary video, “Get in the Game” and register today for the upcoming 2008 “Climate Connections” season. Hurry! Registration closes on September 30, 2008 or when all slots are filled.