Queen Mary University of London hosted an IET FIRST® LEGO® League Tournament on 25th January 2020. The tournament is the culmination of weeks of preparation, where students have worked in teams to design, build and programme a robot, and create an innovative solution to a real-world problem.
In the 2019-20 FIRST® LEGO® League CITY SHAPER℠ Challenge, teams aged 9 to 16 learnt all about architecture and the spaces we live in. They had to demonstrate their skills in robotics, computer programming, research, and communication, as well as needing to demonstrate the FIRST® LEGO® League Core Values, which include teamwork, problem-solving and friendly competition.
It’s a fact that the need for engineers has never been greater. Queen Mary University supports FIRST® LEGO® League because it equips young people with the skills that they need to become future innovators and engineers. FIRST® LEGO® League is the world’s largest STEM competition with 40,000 teams in more than 100 countries.
Ho Huen, Queen Marys Electronics Lab Manager and First Lego League organiser, said: “As a University we strive to bring out the best in students. Core fundamentals for a science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career are nurtured at an early stage and by hosting such events we are able to help students at a young age become inspired by professionals in the field of Science and Engineering. It’s personally rewarding to see young students so engaged and enthused about engineering activities.”
18 teams from in and around London competed at the event, including teams from: Eltham college, Dunottar School, The Marist School, Harris Academy Bermondsey, St Bonaventure’s, Stewart Fleming Primary School, Frances Bardsley School for Girls, Malmesbury Primary School, The Petchey Academy, The Ursuline Prep School St, Christopher School, Nonsuch High School for Girls, Langley Park School for Girls and two home schools.
Champions Team: Lego Loving Londoners
Runners up: Team from Dunottar School
For more information about this year’s FIRST® LEGO® League competition, please visit https://education.theiet.org/first-lego-league-programmes/fll/.
Photos by Ray Crundwell