Role of robotics at event hosted by Teesside

The University has hosted a regional competition as part of the International First Lego League Robotics Championship Tournament.

The First Lego League involves teams of up to ten children, aged from nine to 16, programming a robot to complete tasks and also research and prepare a presentation.

The event encourages the young teams to explore the cutting-edge world of biomedical engineering to discover innovative ways to repair injuries, overcome genetic predispositions and maximize the body’s potential, with the intended purpose of leading happier and healthier lives.

The challenge involved programming and control, design and technology, mathematics, research, presentation skills, strategic thinking and teamwork. One of the main aims of the challenge is to encourage the young team members to develop an interest in real world issues and key skills for their future careers.

Participating teams across the UK and Ireland were given eight to ten weeks to prepare for one of the regional tournament events. Winners of the regional events, including that hosted by Teesside University, go on to the UK and Ireland national final to compete for a place at the World Festival due to take place in April in St Louis, USA.

A tremendous success Vicky Rushin, Teesside University Senior Lecturer in Computing, said: 'The event was a tremendous success. It was a joy being able to work closely with such enthusiastic and capable pupils.

'We will be more involved in this event again next year, as we’ll be running the regional final rather than just hosting it and I’m looking forward to continuing the hard work that has been put in by Teesside and Redcar City Learning Centres.

'Thanks also to staff and students from the University who helped on the day.'

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