From BGSU OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Bowling Green State University will host a FIRST LEGO League event Saturday, Jan. 14 on the second floor of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.
Guided by adult coaches, FIRST LEGO League teams research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling or energy and are challenged to develop a solution. They must also design, build and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology, then compete on a tabletop playing field.
This event, organized by the Sylvania STEM Center, northwest Ohio’s regional gathering space for STEM education and exploration, consists of teams of students in grades four through eight. This year’s challenge is Animal Allies and teams have been tasked to identify a problem when people and animals interact and design a solution that makes the interaction better for animals, people or both.
This tournament is the second-level competition for 23 teams from northwest Ohio. Each of these teams earned their place in the tournament by securing top spots at regional tournaments. The top nine teams will advance to the state championship in Dayton in February.
FIRST LEGO League allows kids to combine science, technology, engineering and math concepts with imagination to solve a problem. During the process, they also develop critical thinking and team-building skills. The BGSU College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering is supporting the event by paying for the venue and volunteering.
To date, more than 255,000 kids have participated in 1,464 FIRST LEGO League events in 88 countries.
WHAT: Second-level FIRST LEGO League competition
WHO: 23 fourth- through eighth-grade teams from northwest Ohio
WHEN: noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14; an opening ceremony parade begins at noonin the Lenhart Grand Ballroom of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union
WHERE: BGSU Bowen-Thompson Student Union
