FIRST Lego League

... is something we like a lot ! The regional (Valley) FLL competition is sponsored by James Madison University's College of Integrated Science and Technology, JMU's Research and Public Service, JMU Office of the Vice Provost for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and of course the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council!

The SVTC will again be sponsoring three teams in 2010 - meaning we are reimbursing about half of the start up cost of three local SV teams. For more information on the grant and to download the 2010 application click here.

To view the poster for the 2010 competition click here. This year's themeis called Body Forward.

While we sponsor three SV teams, the competition is put together by Ralph Grove at JMU's CISAT. Please contact him for further details.

Program Director/FLL:

Ralph Grove, JMU, College of Integrated Science and Technology, 540.568.6228, groverf@jmu.edu

Website: http://grove.cs.jmu.edu/fll/

WHAT ?

FIRST Lego League (FLL), was created through a partnership between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the LEGO Company, and inspires future scientists and engineers.

The FIRST LEGO League (FLL), considered the "little league" of the FIRST Robotics Competition, is the result of a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company. FLL extends the FIRST concept of inspiring and celebrating science and technology to children aged 9 through 14, using real-world context and hands-on experimentation.

With the help of LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System technology, young participants can build a robot and compete in a friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age group. Using LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors, and gears, teams gain hands-on experience in engineering and computer programming principles as they construct and program their unique robot inventions.

FLL kids:

Design, build and program autonomous robots
Use LEGO MINDSTORMSTORMS (tm) technologies
Learn teamwork skills
Research challenges facing today's scientists
Compete in tournaments and present their solutions to a panel of judges
Build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills

How FLL Works:

Teams of up to 10 kids, ages 9-14
Adult coaches and mentors
Schools, home schools, churches, civic groups, neighborhood groups
Parents, teachers, community volunteers
Corporate sponsors
New real-world game challenge each year
Sports-like tournament events with judges and awards

What FLL Offers:

Discovery of the fun in science and technology
Real-world application of science and math concepts
Hands-on problem solving
Programming experience
Research presentation project
Adult role models
Teamwork skills
Self-esteem and confidence

To find out more about the FIRST Lego League, as well as the programs available for other age groups, please visit the following link:

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/default.aspx?id=970