Great young minds coming to UOIT January 12 for the FIRST ® LEGO® League Ontario East provincial championships

Young robotic-inspired minds will gather in Oshawa January 12 as the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) plays host to the annual FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Ontario East provincial championships. FIRST is an acronym that means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. The FLL competition encourages students to delve into real-world scientific issues while applying math and science concepts to research, design, build and program autonomous robots using LEGO Mindstorms software.

This year’s challenge Seniors Solutions calls for teams of nine-to-14 year-old children (over 3,500 students across Ontario) to research and present their own creative solutions to one of today’s most relevant topics: aging, and how to counter the effects of aging while maintaining a good quality of life. Competitors from Toronto, Niagara Falls, Durham Region and Eastern Ontario will demonstrate their problem-solving skills, teamwork, competitive play, sportsmanship, and sense of community as they apply creativity and science to help seniors stay independent, engaged and connected.

The event to be held at UOIT’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre gymnasium represents the culmination of eight weeks of research and design by about 400 qualifying students and their coaches. Teams earned their spots at the championship after taking part in practice tournaments and one of several regional qualifying events. Competitors will be judged in four areas:

• Project presentation;
• Robot performance;
• Technical design and programming of the robot; and
• Teamwork, with a consideration of the FLL Core Values.

The winning team will also have the opportunity to participate in an International Open Championship in the spring of 2013.

Currently in its 14^th year, FLL anticipates its biggest season ever, with more than 20,000 teams in more than 70 countries competing in hundreds of qualifying and championship tournaments. Over 1,000 parents, siblings, coaches, volunteers, judges, and referees will be on hand for the FLL at UOIT. Admission is free. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!

When:
Saturday, January 12

• 8 a.m. – Judging and practice matches begin
• 10 a.m. – Opening ceremony
• 10:30 a.m. – Judging and practice matches resume
• 11:45 a.m. – Lunch
• 12:30 p.m. – Judging callbacks
• 1:30 p.m. – Official robot matches begin
• 4:15 p.m. – Awards and closing ceremony

Where:
UOIT
Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (gyms 3, 4 and 5)
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario

Parking:
Follow Founders Drive south from the Conlin Road stoplights and turn left at the stop sign into Founders Lot 3.
Driving directions/campus map link: http://uoit.ca/maps/uoit/

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills, while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and more than $12 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC^® ) and FIRST^® Tech Challenge (FTC^® ) for high-school students, FIRST^® LEGO^® League (FLL^® ) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST^® LEGO^® League (Jr.FLL^®) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism^® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org. To learn more about the Senior Solutions Challenge, go to www.FIRSTLEGOLeague.org.

About the LEGO Group

The LEGO Group is a privately-held firm based in Billund, Denmark. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through high-quality, creatively educational play materials, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen:  "Only the best is good enough."  For more information, visit www.LEGO.com.

FIRST^®, the FIRST^® logo, FIRST^® Robotics Competition, FRC^®, FIRST^® Tech Challenge, FTC^®, and Gracious Professionalism^® are registered trademarks of the United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST^®). LEGO^® and MINDSTORMS^® are registered trademarks of The LEGO Group. FIRST^® LEGO^® League, FLL^®, Junior FIRST^® LEGO^® League, Jr.FLL^®, and Senior Solutions^℠ are jointly held trademarks of FIRST and The LEGO Group. ©2012 FIRST and The LEGO Group. All rights reserved. 

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca