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Park University to Host FIRST LEGO LeagueBy Summer A. Evans - January 4, 2007 - 11:40 amEmail this article | Printer friendly page | Media Inquiries | Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter
FIRST LEGO League is an international robotics program for students nine to 14, and serves to ignite their enthusiasm for discovery and engagement in science and technology. This annual event presents new, adventurous challenges each year based on the current issues of the day. Each team consists of a team coach, mentors and the students who work to:
The challenges work to aid students to use science, technology and engineering; to learn using fun, hands-on experiences; to experiment and overcome obstacles; and to build self-esteem and confidence. Through the research assignment, teams aim to understand more fully the significance to the real work being conducted by scientists around the world. Teams explore a current or potential application of nanotechnology, either from the Nano Quest robot missions or from another source. The students learn what scientists are facing in improving upon the existing application or making the potential application a reality. Teams then design an improvement for the existing nanotechnology or solve a problem that faces a potential application. To accomplish this, teams are encouraged to communicate with experts in the field-nanotechnologists, physicists or computer technologists. During the judging, each team makes a five minute presentations on the quality of the question, background research, expedition plan, data and graphics, analysis and conclusions, and presentation skills. Founded in 1989, FIRST LEGO League is in 45 countries across the globe and has reached more than 90,000 students. For more information about FLL, visit www.usfirst.org. About the FLL Challenge - Nanotechnology Nanotechnology is a new scientific frontier that will impact many facets of society, such as medicine, computers, and the environment. The nano world is 100,000 times smaller than the thickness of a single strand of hair. At the nano level, everything jumps and shakes - even solid things like tabletops. Imagine, the atoms that make up a solid object constantly move and vibrate! Why Nanotechnology? Nanotechnologists move atoms and molecules around to make amazing new discoveries. Scientists believe that someday nanotechnology will allow us to cure diseases using devices small enough to travel through the human body. Others believe nanotechnology will allow us to travel into space in an elevator using a system of tiny tubes and centrifugal force. Because of nanotechnology, right now you can buy things like stain-resistant clothes and bouncier tennis balls. The Nano Quest robot game mission models represent just some of the technology and ideas that scientists are thinking about or working on right now. Through your Nano Quest project, you are joining the exploration of this new and fascinating world. |
