Students to compete in FIRST® LEGO® League robotics state championship tournament in Grand Forks
Saturday, February 10 // 12-2 p.m.
UND Memorial Union
Teams of 9-14-year-olds are to arrive in Grand Forks from across North Dakota on Saturday, February 10th, to show off their science, engineering, and technology skills at the ND FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) Robotics State Championship tournament. The competition, which is open to the public, is held annually at the UND Memorial Union. Each team needed to qualify this year to compete in the state championship. The robot competition opening ceremony is at 12:00 pm and wraps up at about 2:00 pm. Awards will be presented at approximately 1:30 pm.
Every year, FLL works with experts in the field to create a challenge that relates to a significant real-world issue. This year is the MASTERPIECES Challenge, where teams imagine and innovate new ways to create and communicate art across the globe. Teams will choose and solve a real-world problem in the Project. They will also build, test, and program an autonomous robot using either SPIKE® or LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL®’s signature set of Core Values, celebrating discovery, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism®. This is a fun way to get kids excited in science and technology.
The FLL competition is judged in four areas: project presentation; robot performance; technical design and programming of the robot; and FLL Core Values. The highest honor goes to the team that best exemplifies the spirit and values of the program.
The University of North Dakota and the College of Engineering & Mines hosts the event with the help of many UND student, industry and community volunteers. This year’s event as it has for many year is presented by John Deere. Sponsors of this year’s event include:
- University of North Dakota College of Engineering & Mines
- LM Wind Power
- Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Basin Electric Power Cooperative
- Minnkota Power
- American Crystal Sugar
- Alerus Financial
- Retrax Holdings LLC
- Whalen’s Moving & Storage
- Cargill Cares Committee
- Probitas Promotions
- Dakota Science Center
About FIRST®
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, FIRST® is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. FIRST® is supported by a strong network of sponsors and volunteers.
FIRST® provides the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) for students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18), the FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) for grades 4-8 (ages 9 to 14) , and the Junior FIRST® LEGO League (Jr.FLL) for grades K-3 (ages 6 to 9). For more information, visit www.usfirst.org.
About the LEGO® Group
The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality, creatively educational play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children’s creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: “Only the best is good enough.” For more information, visit www.LEGO.com.
LEGO, MINDSTORMS® and their respective logos are registered trademarks of the LEGO Group. FIRST® and its logos are registered trademarks of US FIRST.
Written by Gwen Klawon // UND College of Engineering & Mines
