Michigan State University will host the Spartan Challenge FIRST Lego League East Lansing Regional Qualifying Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is the fourth year that MSU will be hosting the competition.
With the help of Lego Mindstorm Robotics Invention System kits -- which consist of bricks, motors, sensors, gears and software -- elementary and middle school students, ages 9 through 14, learn engineering and computer programming principles as they design, build and program fully autonomous robots that are capable of performing specified, theme-related tasks.
The 2009 Challenge is Smart Move -- Robotics Solutions to Issues in Modern Transportation.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational, nonprofit organization that aspires to transform culture, making science, math, engineering and technology as cool for kids as sports are today. The FIRST Lego League is the result of a partnership between FIRST and Lego Group.
MSU’s FIRST Lego League teams are supported by a grant from Shell Oil Co. through the Shell SITES (Students Interested in Technology, Engineering and Science) Program and the MSU Office of Outreach and Engagement.
“Six years ago, the College of Engineering formed its one and only FIRST Lego League team, the TechnoSpartans, anticipating that it would spark young minds interested in and excited about engineering,” said Drew Kim. “We had no idea that someday we would become the largest FLL mentoring and sponsoring entity in the state of Michigan with 15 teams. As we anticipated, we are now beginning to see students from the original TechnoSpartans pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With Shell SITES and MSU’s Office of Outreach and Engagement, we are continuously able to provide a pathway to future Spartan engineers.”
The 2009 Smart Move Robot Game gives students first-hand experience in getting a sensor-equipped vehicle to gain access to places and things, while avoiding or surviving impacts, all in a test environment.
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