Robotics Lego competitors converge at NAIT this weekend

Fifty-nine teams of elementary and middle school students from across Western Canada will go head-to-head in the provincial FIRST Lego League Championship, hosted by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). This year’s theme is “World Class Challenge.”

Teams use sensors, motors, gears and software to build and program their robots in advance of the championship. Participants, who are between the ages of nine and 14, will demonstrate what their Lego-engineered robots can do. The team that wins the Edmonton event qualifies to compete at the FIRST Lego League (FLL) North American Open Championship at the LEGOLAND California Resort, May 15-17.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a not-for-profit group that inspires young people to be science and technology leaders. The FLL is a robotics program that teaches kids valuable employment and life skills.

For media, the best visuals will take place in the NAIT Gym between 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., during the table-top competition. There will be effect lighting and music during these competitions, creating a fun atmosphere. Referees will be decked out in referee shirts, adding to the sports-like feel of the competition.

WHERE:
NAIT Main Campus
11762 106 St. NW
Edmonton, AB

WHEN:
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015

8:30 a.m. - Opening ceremonies (Gym)
9:15 to 12 p.m. - Technical, core value and project judging (X, J, A, H & E Wings)
12 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Table top competition (Gym)
4 p.m. - Award presentation (Gym)

Full day activities
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Pit (Common Market)
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Exhibits (South Lobby)

Media inquiries:

Ania Ossowska (on site during the competition)
FLL Alberta Tournament Director
P 780.235.4708 E ania.ossowska@epsb.ca

Racheal Kennedy (on site during the competition)
NAIT Recruitment Events Coordinator
C 780.690.5924

Frank Landry
NAIT Media Relations
P 780.471.8450 C 780.916.8307 E flandry@nait.ca

Visit www.nait.ca/newsroom for more NAIT news.
Follow us @NAIT and visit www.social.nait.ca