Note to Editors: Photographers and media members should check in at the media table in Balch Fieldhouse upon arrival. Ask a greeter or registration volunteer for directions to the table. Contact Ross Parrent for more information, (303) 588-7219.
The state finals of the "FIRST Lego League" robotics competition for 9- to 14-year-olds will be hosted by the University of Colorado at Boulder Dec. 3.
Lego robots designed and built by student teams will compete in a variety of challenges starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Balch Fieldhouse Complex, just west of Folsom Field, on the CU-Boulder campus. After a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m., competition will continue through 3 p.m. Awards and presentations will conclude at 4 p.m.
Dozens of four- to six-member teams will compete. Most are from the Front Range area, but teams from Nebraska and Hawaii also will participate. Â鶹ÒùÔº can win awards in a variety of categories and are judged on robot performance, design, team spirit, research and presentation. The winner of the Dec. 3 competition will move on to compete in an international contest in 2006.
Robots are required to be made entirely of Lego elements in original factory condition, including Lego sensors. Electrical parts are limited - remote controls are not allowed - and teams must follow strict rules and guidelines during the competition.
Sponsored on campus by the CU-Boulder Office of Community Relations and CU Athletics, the competition has inspired many members of the university community to become involved as mentors, volunteers and judges. The competition is organized by Jenny Golder, a CU-Boulder engineering graduate student and full-time employee of Lockheed Martin.
The theme of this year's competition is "Ocean Odyssey." In addition to the robotics competition in which robots will complete ocean-themed missions on a dry surface, students will present research on ocean activities, resources and effects on biodiversity and productivity. The competition calls for an innovative solution to help improve the use of a resource or activity while minimizing the negative impact on oceans for present and future generations.
FIRST, "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology," is a multinational community outreach and education program. In 2005 the competition reached more than 25,000 high school students on nearly 1,000 teams in 30 regional competitions. The events bring together students, professionals and teachers to solve engineering design challenges.
The FIRST Lego League began in 1998 when Lego partnered with FIRST to create a "little league" to the national high school FIRST Robotics competition. The FIRST Lego League is specifically targeted at the 9- to 14-year-old age group.
For more details on the Dec. 3 tournament visit . For more information about Colorado FIRST visit .