Wright-Patt to co-sponsor FIRST LEGO League Ohio State Championship

  • Published
  • By Derek Kaufman
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Forty-eight teams representing some of the best and brightest students from across the state will compete at the FIRST LEGO® League Ohio State Championship Tournament at the Ervin J. Nutter Center, on the campus of Wright State University, January 12 -13.

The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Educational Outreach Office here co-sponsors the annual event which brings together 9 to 14 year-olds to demonstrate their engineering and problem-solving skills, critical thinking, teamwork, sportsmanship, and sense of community.

"This year, participating students will use robots to highlight their understanding of one of today's most critical environmental issues: energy management and conservation," said Kathy Levine, FIRST LEGO League director for Ohio.

On Jan. 12, teams will participate in closed-door judging, where they will meet with three panels of judges who evaluate their research project, teamwork, robot design, robot programming and performance. Judging is not open to the public.

On Jan. 13, robot table competitions will run on the main floor of the Nutter Center from 9:00 a.m, until noon. This portion of the competition is free and open to the public.

"The event has much of the same feel and intensity as a major sporting competition, " said Levine, who is also Educational Outreach Office Robotics Program manager at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

The Air Force Research Laboratory here has been affiliated with FIRST LEGO, since 2001 when it became lead organization for the Ohio's state program, Levine said.

"Sparking imagination and a love for science in these children is our goal," Levine said. "What makes this event so remarkable for them is seeing that learning and fun can go hand in hand. They learn firsthand that they have the power to solve real world problems."

Air Force leaders recognize the importance of developing enthusiasm for math and science among young people, said Kathy Schweinfurth, director of Base Educational Outreach.

"Wright-Patterson's robust portfolio of educational outreach programs with area school children is a logical extension of its role as the Air Forces' focal point for science and technology research," Schweinfurth said.

"Nationally we are facing a growing shortage of scientists and engineers," Levine added. "We think our investment in educational outreach activities will pay big dividends."

Inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), to inspire young people's interest in science and technology. Since 1988 FIRST and LEGO Group have partnered to challenge teams who use LEGO bricks, motors, gears and software to design and build robots to solve real-world engineering challenges.

Each September FIRST announces the annual challenge to student teams around the world. Over 90,000 students from more than 30 countries are competing in this year's qualifying events and championship tournaments, according to the US FIRST website. 

"The FLL Ohio State Championship follows ten regional state qualifying events from Toledo, Canton, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati where more than 180 Ohio teams competed in December", Levine said. 

Along with the FLL Ohio State Championship, a Junior FIRST LEGO Expo, a design and build program for small teams of children between the ages of 6 and 9, will also be held. Seven Ohio teams from around the state will show off their Power Puzzle solutions through models and research posters. 

The FLL Ohio State Championship and the FLL Wright State University Regional are sponsored by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Educational Outreach; the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science; the Ohio Educational Outreach Foundation; Battelle, Dayton Operations; American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Dayton Section; and Universal Technology Corporation.

For more information, visit the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base public Web page at www.wpafb.af.mil  and click on the prominent robotics link.

Federal endorsement of sponsors is not intended.