Nearly 600 schoolchildren from across Cornwall spent the day coding and testing Lego robots as part of an international challenge.
Hosted by the Royal Navy and organised with Cornwall Council, the First Lego League competition was held over two days in an aircraft hangar at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Helston.
Teams from 60 schools, including both primary and secondary school year 7s, took turns against the clock to complete series of challenges to remotely operate Lego machines – lifting levers, pressing buttons and scooping up Lego characters.
Sailors from the air station watched closely and awarded points. The children next had to make a presentation to a panel of judges to talk about teamwork and their core values – the whole day was based around promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Captain Stuart Irwin, the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, said:
“It’s been a fantastic couple of days and I’d like to personally thank everyone who took part or supported the event. We’ve been really delighted to be able to play our part, as part of this community, to encourage young people into a science and technology environment where they can use their curiosity and problem-solving skills. Above all else, they have done this as part of a team - and teamwork is at the heart of everything we do here at the Royal Navy.”
Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, the cabinet member for Children and Families at Cornwall Council, said:
“I frequently find myself awe-struck by our school children here in Cornwall and this is why. The creativity and talent on display at the First Lego League competition have been fantastic. I’m incredibly proud of all the pupils who took part and would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the school staff and organisers for making it such a brilliant event.”
On the first day of the challenges, the team in second place was Falmouth School Girls Team while the winner was Porthleven Community Primary School. On the second day, the runner up was the team from Truro High School of Girls while the winner was Darite Primary Academy.
These four school teams have all qualified to take part in the national round of the First Lego League which will be held later in the year.
First Lego League, Royal Navy and Cornwall Council thanked all the pupils and teachers for their enthusiasm and support. Thanks also go to the industry partners which sponsored the event and other organisations that supported the day, including Lockheed Martin, Leonardo, Serco, The Institute of Engineering and Technology, Falmouth University, Morwind, Spaceport Cornwall, STEM Learning, Cognition, Soropimist International and Tech Girls.
Press release issued by RNAS Culdrose on March 15, 2024.
