Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) hosting Quad Cities FIRST® LEGO® League Regional Qualifier Tournaments December 3rd, 10th and 11th
The non-profit Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) is proud to be the organizer for the 8th annual regional Quad Cities Regional Qualifying Tournaments held from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. at the following venues:
- December 3rd at John Deere World Headquarters, Moline, Illinois
- December 10th and 11th at the Putnam Museum, Davenport, Iowa
Since 2009 when the first QC Tournament was held with 13 teams, the program has continued to grow. In 2016, as outlined below, there will be FLL/ Junior FLL Events held on 3 dates with a total of 150+ teams with 1400+ students supported by 300+ volunteers.
This is a fast-paced, high energy event that will be enjoyed by all ages and expose everyone to the exciting world of robots, engineering, computer program, creative problem solving and most importantly, TEAMWORK!
Events feature students from age 6 - 14:
- FIRST LEGO League Jr.* is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids ages 6 to 10 while exciting them through a brand they know and love − LEGO®.
- Guided by two or more adult Coaches, FIRST LEGO League* teams (up to 10 members, grades 4-8**) research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS®, then compete on a table-top playing field.
The events are free and open to the public. Further information is available at www.qcesc.org including pictures from past events.
The Schedule of Events:
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9:00 AM
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Opening Ceremonies
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9:30 AM
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Teams participate in judging sessions & robot performance rounds
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12:15 - 1:00 PM
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Lunch Break
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1:00 - 2:40 PM
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Teams participate in judging sessions & robot performance rounds
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1:00 - 2:30 PM
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Jr FIRST LEGO League Expo
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2:20 - 3:00 PM
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Teams clean up their pit areas while judges deliberate
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3:45 PM
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Closing ceremonies & awards
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2:20 - 3:00 PM
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Teams clean up their pit areas while judges deliberate
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3:00 - 3:45 PM
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Outreach activities
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3:45 PM
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Closing ceremonies & awards
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Background:
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, N.H., 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 over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $16 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. 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.
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 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®, NATURE'S FURY®, and DISASTER BLASTER® are jointly held trademarks of FIRST and the LEGO Group. ©2013 FIRST ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL® )
FIRST® HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST® HIGHLIGHTS
- International, K-12, after-school, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs.
- FIRST Progression of Programs: a progression of Mentor-guided robotics/STEM-related programs for kids, ages 6 to 18.
- Reaching more than 400,000 young people in 2016/17.
- High-school participants eligible to apply for more than $30 million in scholarships.
- More than 200 of the Fortune 500 companies support FIRST®.
- ~10% of the Class of 2013 at MIT was made up of FIRST Alumni and as many as 22.3% of the 2016 sophomore class at Kettering University are FIRST Alumni.
CORE GOALS
The goal of FIRST is to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.
- Society celebrates achievement in sports and entertainment, and in 2015 four states have sanctioned robotics as a sport.
- FIRST celebrates scientists and engineers as leaders.
- While the unemployment rate for people with bachelor's degrees was 3.9% in December 2012, says Mark Regets, a senior analyst at the National Science Foundation, the rate for engineers is 2%. FIRST is helping get students interested in and prepared for lucrative STEM careers, giving them the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.
- FIRST is creating excitement, competition, and fun in science and technology for more than 400,000 young people in 2016/17.
- FIRST is helping kids realize that it's cool to be smart.
Young people's interest and participation in science and technology will help them succeed in life and will help our society.
- FIRST offers unique and multi-faceted opportunities for young people to build successful STEM careers.
- Many of society's key problems will be solved with science and technology (e.g. water, access to electric power, medical, etc.).
- Conversely, the chances of becoming a sports hero are small; only about 500 jobs for players in the NBA alone.
- Every member of a FIRST team can "go pro."
- FIRST was the subject of an ABC TV special in 2011 called "i.am. FIRST: Science is Rock and Roll," narrated by producer, musician, and technology and education advocate, will.i.am.
If you are interested in regular updates on the Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC or getting involved further, please consider subscribing for e-mail updates including volunteering or following/joining us using: Facebook (QCESC) and the website at www.qcesc.org which includes a calendar of events & a volunteer page that is updated on-going with new volunteer opportunities.
