FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) is a robotics program which is designed to introduce young people, ages 9 to 14 (grades 4-8), to the fun and excitement of science, technology, engineering and math. Through FLL, students learn valuable employment and life skills which will benefit them, no matter which career path they choose, in their future. Past Challenges in the FLL have been based on topics such as
nanotechnology, climate, quality of life for the handicapped population, and transportation. The 2014-2015 FLL Challenge is “What is the Future of Learning?” By designing these “Challenges” around such topics, students’ are exposed to potential career paths within a chosen topic, in addition to solidifying the STEM principles that naturally come from participating in the program. The Challenge is broken up into three parts: (1) Robot Design: Students design and program a robot to accomplish tasks on a field. (2) Project: Students design a solution to a real-life problem related to that year’s challenge. (3) Core Values: Students are judged on their team’s teamwork, inspiration and gracious professionalism. These core values are essential in teaching life skills. In January 2015, the BrickMasters FLL robotics team won the Anchorage-based state competition earning them an invitation to represent Alaska in the World Festival. This event will be held in St. Louis Missouri from April 22 to April 26. All six BrickMasters team members, along with their parents and coaches, are traveling to St. Louis for this exciting event.
