MCC hosts FIRST LEGO® League Regional Qualifier Tournament
On Saturday, Dec. 15, Marshalltown Community College will host the FIRST LEGO® League (FLL) Regional Qualifier Tournament. Thirty-seven teams of nine to 12-year-olds will compete in research presentations, robot challenges and robot design, hoping to advance to the championship at Iowa State University in January. FIRST is an acronym: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, and was founded in 1989 to help youth gain appreciation and interest in science and technology.
This year’s theme is: Can FIRST LEGO® League teams improve the quality
of life for seniors by helping them continue to be independent, engaged,
and connected in their communities?Teams will find a senior partner, identify and learn about problems faced by seniors and then create an innovative solution to the problem.
Teams from Urbandale, Grimes, Clear Lake, Newton, State Center, Ames, Boone, Williamsburg, Des Moines, Carlisle, Mason City, Mingo, Baxter, Dysart, La Porte City, Iowa Falls, Belle Plaine, Cedar Rapids, Union, and four Marshalltown teams will compete at MCC. Twelve regional qualifier tournaments are scheduled throughout Iowa.
Parents, teachers and community members are welcome to watch the competition of these bright young people; there is no admission fee. The event begins with an opening ceremony at 9 am and concludes around 4:00 pm with the awards ceremony in the Student Activities Center.
The tournament committee includes: Brenda Heitmeyer, Mark Monroe, Dr. Chris Russell, Trudi Scott, Cindy Urhammer-Weuve, Connie Gardalen, Martha Schwandt and Lara Aleff. The tournament will involve over 65 volunteers from the community, college personnel, college students and high school students. Several MCC students are completing service-learning projects by helping with the tournament. If you are interested in volunteering for this worthwhile event please contact Brenda Heitmeyer at 641-844-5752 or Brenda.Heitmeyer@iavalley.edu, or Coordinator of High School Relations/Student Success Specialist, Connie Gardalen at 641-844-5740 or Connie.Gardalen@iavalley.edu.
PHOTO CAPTION: A LEGO League team is shown at last year’s Regional Qualifier Tournament at Marshalltown Community College. The public is welcome to watch 37 teams in regional competition on Saturday, Dec. 15, 9 am to 4 pm on the MCC Campus, 3700 S. Center St., Marshalltown.