And…GO! The University had the pleasure to host the FIRST Lego West Ontario Championships on Saturday, January 11, 2014.
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), a non-profit organization, was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to boost young people’s interest in science and technology. FIRST’s FLL (FIRST Lego League) allows 9-14 year-olds to apply science and technology concepts and to work as a team under a coach to design, build, test, and program robots with Lego’s Mindstorms to face themed challenges. This year’s theme was Nature’s Fury. FLL’s top 10% in Western Ontario, 42 teams of students, had each prepared robots to brave obstacles and undergo rescue missions related to natural disasters. The competition was held at both MC and PAC. In MC teams of candidates were judged on three FLL categories of Project, Design, and Values. While PAC was where teams’ robots competed and they displayed information on their teams and robots in their pits.
The candidates had a full, fun day learning from each others pits, working in teams, and competing in Robot Games. The competition was fueled by the energy and enthusiasm of the lovely, talented candidates and their coaches.
At the end of the day, the KIN-nects, a team from Oakville, took home the Champions’ Award, 1st Place. Teams were also awarded in other categories such as Innovation and Strategy, Teamwork, and Programming.
Here’s to next year’s theme: Learning Unleashed, and to the growth of young talent in engineering, science and technology.
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