FIRST®LEGO®LEAGUE UK National Finals in Harrogate!

On April 20th, The FIRST® LEGO® League UK Final took place in Harrogate. FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to kids ages 4 to 16. Through a supervised, international robotics programme, participants get practical problem-solving expertise that aids in assisting today's kids and instructors jointly to create a brighter future.

After a thrilling regional stages, 75 teams earnt the right to represent their schools at the UK national finals, with a look to go even further as 50 winners from around the world are invited to participate in the world final in Bodø, Norway: FIRST® LEGO® League Open European Championship.

A robotics day to remember!

The day commenced as all the teams and volunteers convened for the opening ceremony, culminating in a highly memorable and energetically charged performance that elicited enthusiastic participation from every individual present, igniting the vibrant atmosphere of the FLL Final.

With spirits high, the event unfolded...

Teams embarked on their designated schedules, initiating the robot games and unveiling a myriad of innovative white brick masterpieces that adorned the space with creativity. Meanwhile, students awaiting their challenges immersed themselves in the plethora of STEAM activities available throughout the venue. Among the highlights were our engaging and educational attractions: the exhilarating speed ramp and our colossal LEGO mosaic, comprised of 96 distinct plates, each containing 64 bricks. Little by little, participants contributed to the construction of the 6144 piece mosaic, which encapsulated the theme of this year's FLL competition. Designed by the wonderful Steve Guiness (thebrickconsultant).

Throughout the day, teams, teachers, and volunteers displayed unwavering dedication as they tackled challenges and contributed to a truly magnificent celebration of STEM. Every team showcased remarkable effort, bringing pride to themselves and their schools. Congratulations are in order for all teams, along with special recognition for those who earned awards through their hard work and innovative spirit. 

Good luck to those competing in the latter stages of the competition.

Here is a breakdown of all the award winners:

White Bricks Challenge - Dunbotics
Best Team Placard - Veni, Vidi, Vici
Best Graffiti Wall - The Incredilegos
Robot Game Knockout - Exploding Ketchup
Judges’ Breakthrough Award - Colourful Creators
Judges’ Rising All-Star Award - Westminster School
Judges’ Motivate Award - The Incredilegos
Coach/Mentor Award - Clive Seager (The Combat Wombats)
Fellow Team Award - Dunbotics
Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer Award - Aaron Cuthbertson
Sage Impact on Society Award - LEGO-Mogs
Bechtel Safety Award - Sensory Overload
Robot Performance Award - (1st) Exploding Ketchup, (2nd) Cerc Activate 
Robot Design Award - (1st) Real Tech Bot, (2nd) Inov8
Innovation Project Award - (1st) LEGO of my bricks, (2nd) Dancing Gears Robofun

AND THE BIG ONE...

The Champion Award - Exploding Ketchup!

Experience the winning moment with Exploding Ketchup!

The FIRST® LEGO®  League stands as a remarkable robotics competition cherished by schools globally. With a staggering participation of over 35,000 young enthusiasts, it serves as an exceptional platform to deeply involve students in their educational journey. Moreover, it offers substantial benefits to educators, with a striking 90% of teachers and coaches expressing confidence in delivering STEM subjects thanks to their involvement in the FIRST® LEGO® League.

Beyond its educational impact, the competition plays a pivotal role in fostering gender diversity in STEAM fields. Notably, a majority of teams now boast a commendable 45% or more female participation, contributing significantly to the mission of encouraging young females to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.