Eight years ago STARBASE ROBINS ventured into hosting a robotics tournament.  We knew very little about robotics at the time and nothing about hosting a tournament.  After attending a FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition and becoming involved in the FIRST organization, I recognized that the goals of FIRST were in line with our national STARBASE priorities.  First off we wanted to enhance the overall quality of our program to better achieve our vision and mission by encouraging students to consider STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers by implementing exemplary activities.  Secondly we could expand and strengthen our relationship with such a collaborating organization as FIRST to leverage our resources in reaching the same target audience.

So from our first Regional FIRST Lego League competition with a total of 6 teams to today hosting our fourth Super Regional FIRST Lego League competition with a total of 40 teams has been an overwhelming but educational experience.  We strongly believe that these challenges are helping to mold our future, not just our future engineers and scientists.  Students who participate in FIRST learn valuable critical thinking skills and how to collaborate and work together with their peers to accomplish a mission.

STARBASE ROBINS and FIRST is a perfect fit.  We hope that you are able to join us this Saturday January 7, 2012 for our 7^th Annual Central Georgia Super Regional FIRST Lego League Competition.  It will be a day of fun, excitement and educational.  Come out and enjoy seeing Georgia’s future, scientists, engineers and work force.  I dare you not to have fun!

STARBASE ROBINS and the Museum of Aviation invite you to share a LEGO creation!

The FIRST LEGO League Super Regional robotics tournament sponsored by STARBASE ROBINS and the Museum of Aviation will be on Saturday January 7, 2012. To celebrate, we invite you to build a creation using LEGO (or similar) bricks and parts.

Wesley Fondal, Director of STARBASE ROBINS, says “[Allowing the general public to get involved in creating their Lego masterpiece will get Lego lovers interested in how we use Legos to promote science, technology, engineering and math as well as promote the upcoming Central Georgia 7^th Annual FIRST Robotics Super regional on January 7th…]”

E-mail a picture of your creation to museumofaviationinfo@gmail.com

With each submission, include:

First Name

Age (over 18 will be “adult”)

Title of creation

School/Grade (if applicable)

City, State, Country

STARBASE ROBINS staff and volunteers will post the pictures two times per week on the STARBASE ROBINS Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/STARBASE-ROBINS/333460671258

Participants may submit up to five creations. The last day for submissions is January 14, 2012.

About STARBASE ROBINS:

STARBASE ROBINS offers a hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) curriculum to students from local school systems as well as several area private schools. STARBASE ROBINS is a Department of Defense educational program sponsored through a partnership with the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), the Museum of Aviation, and the Museum of Aviation Foundation. STARBASE ROBINS emphasizes the importance of goal-setting, teamwork and communication in everyday life.

For more information, visit http://www.starbaseROBINS.org/

About the FIRST LEGO League Super Regional robotics tournament:

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League is an international program that couples hands-on robotics activities with a competition like environment. A team is allowed a maximum of 10 players ages 9-14, with a major focus on team building, creativity and problem solving skills. Each year’s competition consists of a challenge with a different theme. Teams have 8 weeks from the September challenge announcement to analyze the mission, then design, program and test an autonomous robot to complete the mission in competition. Students use Lego MINDSTORM kits for the competition. In addition to the robotic portion, the competition also requires the teams to complete a research project relevant to the theme.

STARBASE ROBINS will serve as a host site for the 7th consecutive year, with this year’s Central Georgia SUPER Regional Qualifier expected to draw over 40 teams! The event serves as a qualifying event for the Georgia State Championship Tournament to be held in February. From there, winners move on to the World Championship, which takes place in April at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA.

Volunteers are needed. Interested individuals should call 478-926-1769.

For more information, visit http://www.starbaseROBINS.org/programs/first-lego-league/