Elementary school children solve climate problems in a LEGO design competition. Up to 100 kids aged 10-15 have registered to play in the LEGO design competition for primary school children, First Lego League, which will be held tomorrow, Saturday 12 November, at Háskólatorg.
The aim of the competition is to arouse primary school students' interest in science and technology as well as to build their self-confidence, leadership skills and life skills. Each year, the competition is chosen a specific theme that is high on the agenda in the world. This year the theme will be food security. Ólafur Ögmundarson is Matís' representative on the jury and does well as he knows the value and transport chain of food very well.
It can be said that the competition consists of five different projects. In the first task, the contestants build a robot from a computer-controlled LEGO-i that is programmed to solve a specific puzzle. Second, competitors must conduct a scientific study of a particular subject. This time the project is about food factor and the participants have to move a certain product from one place to another in the most efficient way. Thirdly, the contestants keep a detailed diary of preparations for the competition and fourthly, they are to present the original entertainment. Fifth, the teams have to explain how they programmed their robot, which tests the participants' knowledge of their own equipment.
Nine teams from the same number of schools across the country have registered for the game and there are between 6-10 people in each team along with one adult team manager. All teams were sent a track and competition shirt eight weeks before the competition to prepare.
The program of the competition starts at 9 on Saturday morning and it is expected that the winners will be crowned at 15. The winning team has the opportunity to compete in the European First Lego League. In addition to prizes for winning the competition, prizes are awarded for the best solution in robot design and programming, the best research project, the best diary, the best entertainment and the best team. All participants receive a FLL medal in recognition.
The competition has taken place in this country for the past 6 years and has always attracted a lot of attention. The proportion of people with a vocational and technical education is sometimes used as a measure when examining how well prepared nations are for the future. If the number of people with such an education in Icelandic society is to increase, it is important to increase interest in technology and science among the country's youth. The LEGO design competition is an innovative way to do this.
The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences at the University of Iceland manages the competition and its sponsors are Nýherji, the Icelandic Society of Engineers, the Confederation of Icelandic Industries and Matís.
Everyone is welcome to watch the competition at Háskólatorg.
Further information about the competition is provided by Ingi Rafn Ólafsson, Marketing and Promotion Director of the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, ingirafn@hi.is and GSM: 772-1400.
News taken from the website of the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences at the University of Iceland.