Robotics competition offers students chance to face ‘real-world problems’
More than 400 students between the ages of nine and 14 gathered for the FIRST LEGO League Ontario East provincial championships at Durham College on Jan. 13. (Photo by Dave Flaherty)
By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express
The competition was fierce, with the competitors both human and robot.
No, this isn’t the plot of the newest science fiction blockbuster movie, but the scene at Durham College’s Health and Wellness Centre on Jan. 13.
The Oshawa campus once again hosted the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League Ontario East Provincial Championships.
Nearly 400 students between the ages of nine and 14 were joined by family, friends, and coaches to see who was tops in the robot game this year.
Within the competition students are encouraged to apply math and science concepts to research, design, build and program autonomous robots using LEGO Mindstorms software.
The teams must then guide their robots in performing a series of tasks within a two-and-a-half minute time limit.
This year’s challenge theme was ‘hydro-dynamics’, with a focus on all things water.
Students were challenged to identify a real-world, water-related problem and create an innovative solution to address it.
According to FIRST LEGO League Ontario director Dave Ellis, it is this real-world connection that really draws kids into the world of robotics.
“Kids gravitate towards being helpful and trying to help solve problems,” Ellis explained. “The skills they are learning are in the context of a real-world problem, and they see the potential of real-world change.”
The enthusiasm for the competition was quite obvious, with many teams decked out in colourful, coordinated uniforms and some even sporting signs with clever slogans.
“It’s captivating to see the kids’ faces. We have photographers to capture those expressions. They also capture the people in the background, and they are equally engaged,” Ellis says. “Emotions ride high for everyone involved.”
This engagement has helped FIRST LEGO League Ontario to become one of the top ten regions in all of North America in terms of participation.
Durham College has hosted the championships for almost a decade now and Ellis says it’s been a “great partnership.”
“It’s a fantastic venue. From a logistics perspective, it’s perfect,” he notes. “The staff here is very good in helping with catering, media and marketing. They are part of the team planning the event.”
Teams moving on from this past weekend’s event will compete at the final provincial championships in Mississauga this April.