Students put their Lego robotics skills to the test
Children apply their math and science learning in a fun way
“Three, two, one — Lego!”
The announcer yells. The timer starts. The robot match begins.
Kids, parents and coaches cheered from the sidelines as 18 teams of Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board elementary students spent two-and-ahalf minutes watching programmed Lego robots navigate tabletop playing surfaces.
Some used their robots to put blocks representing a bee in its hive and make honey come out while others were able to make a guide dog sit and stand up.
Students faced the challenge of improving interactions between animals and people at the second annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League regional qualifier at Cardinal Newman Secondary School on Saturday.
For Caroline Stayshyn, playing with Lego was never something she enjoyed. Yet, she decided to join the all-girls’ team — St. Augustine’s RoBears — when she moved to the school this year.
“It was kind of different for me,” the 10-year-old said. “I thought it was just you’re building something boring, but now I’m here, and it’s way better than I thought it was going to be.”
Robot matches were only part of the competition. Teams — made up of as many as 10 kids — were also judged on how they worked together, their project and the design of their robot.
St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School’s team, Rolling Thunder, explored how the migration of monarch butterflies is threatened by habitat loss.
“What we want to do is spread the word and teach others,” said 12year-old Jose Moreno.
The event offered students a chance to supplement what they’re learning in the classroom and prepares them to meet their future goals, said Joanne Bortolotto, FIRST Lego League robotics convener.
“When you are competing and designing, you’re bringing a lot of that STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and you’re applying what you’re learning,” said superintendent of education Morris Huscal. “That’s the key, and it’s done in a fun way.”
It also offered kids a chance to get creative.
The Dragons — the team from St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School — souped up their robot to perform certain missions.
“Something we implemented that we find really cool is … we have sound,” said 12-year-old Josh Lampkin. “For our shark mission, we have the ‘Jaws’ theme song playing, and for the Seeing Eye dog, we have a dog barking.”
While several awards were handed out, the Top 3 winners will go on to the provincial championships held at the University of Waterloo on Feb. 4.