Learning with LEGOs?

My son has been involved in a terrific program involving a competition with LEGO robotics. It is aimed towards younger kids in elementary school.  My husband has been coaching our PTA's team for the past two years, and it’s been really terrific to see the kids get excited about learning.  I particularly love the fact that boys and girls work together in a team environment to problem solve and compete.

I’ve watched first hand the progression of the kids, and have seen the “aha” moments when they figure out a solution to a complex issue, and the soaring the confidence that also goes along with such an accomplishment.  Even though I am only minimally involved and have basically been there to help out if the kids get too rambunctious or provide a snack for a break, it’s a terrific program that is worth getting involved in.  There are many teams throughout the DC area, nationally, and internationally as well.  It is a very big time commitment, but the results are so worthwhile.  My husband put together some info that summarizes what it is all about:

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology -http://www.firstlegoleague.org/) is an organization that sponsors annual robotics competitions where kids get to have fun learning about science and technology. Each year FIRST selects a theme and develops a challenge based on that theme. Last year the theme was Biomedical Engineering, this year the theme is based on Food Safety. FLL (FIRST LEGO League) Teams are judged on four components during the competition: Robot Design, Robot Performance, Project Presentation, and Teamwork. 

The kids have basically 3 months to build and program a LEGO Mindstorm robot to complete a custom series of challenges while also doing research to present a unique solution related to the science or technology theme for that year. The Herndon Stingers (http://www.herndonstingers.com) have participated in FLL for the last two years and are now getting ready for their third year in the program and are moving into Division II (for kids 12 through 14 years old). The kids learn the fundamentals of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in a unique program which develops teamwork, creativity, and sportsmanship. FLL promotes the concept of “gracious professionalism” which encourages kids to work as a team to solve problems and compete with a high level of sportsmanship at all times.

FLL has two different levels to compete: Division 1 is for ages 9 through 11, and Division 2 is for ages 12 through 14. Teams are limited to 10 members. All of the work, designs and ideas come from the kids. The coaches are only meant to mentor and guide them in the right direction, not do the work for them. Although the details of the official competition will not be released until August, our teams are planning on starting early this year to work on our team-building and get in some more time learning robotic designs and programming. If anyone is interested in helping out the team or wants to learn more about joining or starting a FLL robotics team, stop by our open house and fundraising event on May 7 from 9 am to 12 pm at 792 Grant Street, Herndon, VA or visit http://www.robottomatoes.com for more information. 

Due to the generous efforts of one of the team’s parents, we are this weekend to help defray some of the costs of running the team. If you are local and , and come see for yourself what the kids have been up to as there will be an open house to demonstrate what the robot can do.  Go Stingers! 

Hope to see you there!

Barb Welsh has lived in Herndon for about 12 years and has two sons, age 11 and 9. She is a member of the Herndon Patch Moms Council and regularly blogs at www.obsessmuch.com.