UK FLL

Body Forward UK and Ireland - Roll of Honour

2011-01-25T09:18:00Z

Body Forward National Champions - SGC Robotics, St Gerald's College, Ireland

Robot Challenge Winners - SGC Robotics, St Gerald's College, Ireland
Robot Challenge Runners Up - iRobot, Amberfield School, Suffolk

Robot Design Winners - AI, Bury Grammar School Boys, Lancashire
Robot Design Runners Up - Dr Bots, Wirral Grammar School Boys, Cheshire

Research Project Winners - Brickbrains, King's School, Worcester
Research Project Runners Up - TechHEds, North Wiltshire Home Educators, Swindon

Teamwork Winners - LINKS, The Norton Knatchbull School, Kent
Teamwork Runners Up - Quigley's Angels, Thomas Alleynes High School, Uttoxeter

Ford Award for Team Spirit - Wantage Primary School, Oxfordshire

Loughborough University Award for Innovation - Bawdsey Bionic Bots, Bawdsey Primary School, Suffolk

Judges Award - Team Chauncy, The Chauncy School, Hertfordshire
Judges Award - DRAT, St Michael with St John Primary School, Blackburn

Body Forward Mission Video

2010-09-24T14:44:00Z

Click here to view the the Body Forward missions

Body Forward Robot Game Q&A

2010-09-20T12:48:00Z

The 2010 Body Forward ROBOT GAME question and answer page is now available here - http://www.firstlegoleague.org/media/twocol.aspx?id=268

Please note that the order of precedence for information is as follows:
1. Current robot game Q&A at the link above
2. Missions and Field Set Up pages
3. Rules page

The 2010 Body Forward PROJECT question and answer page is now available here - http://www.firstlegoleague.org/media/twocol.aspx?id=314

Body Forward - Generating Initial Ideas

2010-06-02T10:23:00Z

With the Body Forward season fast approaching this page will be updated with relevant links to start the thought process and help you generate ideas for project content.

Prosthetic foot mimics real muscle action - BBC News, May 2010

A better life for Bionics - National Geographic, January 2010

Robot Arm Controlled by the Mind - BBC News, May 2010

Struggle Ahead for Haiti's Amputees - BBC News, January 2010

Scientists Unveil First Bionic Fingers - BBC News, December 2009

New Life with a Prosthetic Limb - BBC News, January 2010

Researchers receive $1.4million grant for prosthetic hand - Channel 6, USA, June 2010

10 Prosthetic Limbs gearing to simplify things for the amputee - The Design Blog, June 2010

Frequently asked questions about Biomedical Engineering - Biomedical Engineering Society

Transporters Taiwan FLL Visit 2010

2010-05-21T10:20:00Z

The Transporters from Blakewater College in Blackburn recently attended the FLL Open International Championship in Taiwan. Read all about their experience of the tournament and the trip in their guest blogs.

Transporters Blog Day 1

Transporters Blog Day 2

Transporters Blog Day 3

Transporters Blog Day 4

Transporters Blog Day 5

Transporters Blog Day 6

Transporters Blog Day 7

TSM Roboteam at the World Festival

2010-05-21T08:43:00Z

In January, TSM Roboteam qualified for a place at the FLL World Festival by becoming National Champions at Loughborough University. At the prestigious world event, the team competed with 83 teams from more than 30 countries.

A major part of the challenge involves running their autonomous robot (pre programmed by themselves) through a series of complex tabletop missions. This takes place over three rounds. In two of these rounds, the team scored a perfect 400 points! Only three other teams gained full scores for all three rounds, so this is quite an achievement. The judges also felt that the research work that the team carried out was of great value towards improving road safety – based on the transport theme for this year’s contest. As if this wasn’t enough, the team were very pleased to gain 2nd place Inspiration Award.

“The team were highly regarded by all the judges and were brilliant ambassadors for the UK, they can be very proud of themselves”.

Click Here to read their full report from their exciting trip!

The trip back home was almost thwarted by the antics of a certain volcano. Some of the team returning via Amsterdam had to take a coach and ferry to get the rest of the way back to the UK. The remainder were lucky to get their scheduled flight home as Heathrow just opened again a few hours before the flight was due. The team had an amazing time in Atlanta taking part in all the events and activities and meeting teams from many countries. TSM Roboteam would like to thank parents, friends and sponsors for all their help and support.

You can watch the exciting two 400 point robot rounds by searching on YouTube for ‘TSM Roboteam’ or use this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tMXkmO7Xe4

Thanks from FIRST

2010-05-10T13:20:00Z

To Our Respected FLL Coaches Around The World,

The recent close of the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) World Festival officially ended another season. Because of you and your commitment, over 15,000 teams, 150,000 children from over 50 countries participated in 300+ qualifying events and almost 100 Championships around the world. And, let’s not forget the Open Championship events held in Istanbul, Turkey, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan as well as the hundreds of local events hosted by our amazing FLL teams. Talk about inspiring our future innovation leaders! You have to admit, the activity from this past season is pretty significant. Even more so given that it was all volunteer driven – by you. Talk about commitment!

However you got involved with FLL, I believe it is fair to state that you had absolutely no idea what you were getting into. You veteran coaches know what I am referring to. For you rookie coaches, oh, you thought you knew what you were in for. But now that you have been through a season, I bet you would agree that you really had no idea! Thank you all, veteran and now former rookie coaches, for taking this journey with us and all the children around the world. We know FLL takes a lot of out you - personally, professionally and resource wise - many times dipping into your own pockets to make ends meet. With every journey, there are moments along the way when you need to stop, rest and refresh yourself. The FLL headquarters team and I hope you take the time to do so. The kids and FLL really need you. Hopefully one thing that keeps you going is the knowledge that you are – without question - making a difference. Without you, these children may never have had the experience to learn the power they hold through the world of science and technology to make a real difference in their lives and the world.

You are remarkable in what you do. We learn from and appreciate you every day. Your energy and enthusiasm is what fuels us here at FLL headquarters. We see first hand the difference you are making through your selfless commitment. Because of you, there are children on teams whose lives have changed forever. These same children for the first time achieve goals they never imagined or thought possible. Because of you, these kids come to believe in their own power to change the world…and they do change it. It is not uncommon to hear about an FLL team filing for a patent for some great new innovation! Yes, we see countless examples of your work every day. On behalf of all of us at the FLL headquarters, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do.

After a remarkably successful decade with many veteran coaches and team members staying with the FLL program, there is a lot of great wisdom that deserves to be shared. We are making a concerted effort this year to capture all of the great experiences and lessons you and your fellow coaches have learned and are willing to share. Please check out www.usfirst.org/fll for some exciting new rookie team resources, specifically for teams by teams.

You should also check out the results of the formal survey about FLL conducted by Brandeis University at www.usfirst.org/aboutus/content.aspx?id=46 -- it will make you even more proud of what you have accomplished.

With Great Respect,

Anna Maenhout
Director, FIRST LEGO League & Jr. FIRST LEGO League

UK Teams win awards at World Festival

2010-04-28T10:57:00Z

Congratulations to TSM Roboteam and Grey Matter for each receiving an award at the 2010 World Festival in Atlanta!

TSM Roboteam collected second place in the Inspiration Award category, and also achieved two amazing perfect 400 scores in the Smart Move robot game. Grey Matter, our core values nomination, came third in the Teamwork Award category and interest was very high in their giant arm robot! This was the first year Ireland had a team at the World Festival and a special mention must be made about their positive attitude throughout and the challenges they overcame to participate to such a high standard.

All our teams were exceptional in presenting their work on the world stage, and demonstrated exceptional FLL Core Values throughout the entire event. We are all very proud of you!

The Body Forward World Festival moves to St Louis, USA from 27-30 April 2011 - register your team now to compete for the opportunity to represent the UK and Ireland on the global stage!

ARCHIVE: 2009 Smart Move Challenge

2010-03-05T16:30:00Z

2009 FLL Challenge - Award Winners

SMART MOVE - Transforming Transportation

Congratulations to all those who participated in the FLL UK and Ireland Smart Move National Finals, held at Loughborough University on 23rd January! The quality and innovation of all teams impressed the judges and referees, as did the excellent spirit demonstrated on the day. Special thanks must go to Loughborough University and all the volunteers, whose exceptional support makes the day such an overwhelming success.

The National Final Award Winners - Loughborough University, 23rd January 2010

National Champion's Award Winners - TSM Roboteam (Trimley St Martin Primary School, Suffolk)

Robot Performance Award Winners - Widcombe Wrobotiers (Widcombe Junior School, Somerset)
Robot Performance Award Runners Up - TSM Roboteam (Trimley St Martin Primary School, Suffolk)

Robot Design Award Winners - TechHEds (North Wilts Home Educators, Wiltshire)
Robot Design Award Runners Up - Concord Unoriginal (Concord College, Shropshire)

Research Project Award Winners - Eco-reatton (Boreatton Scouts Group, Shropshire)
Research Project Runners Up - Little Einsteins (Ballyclare High School, County Antrim)

Teamwork Award Winners - Transportation Targeteers (St Margaret's Preparatory School, Wiltshire)
Teamwork Award Runners Up - Cleadon Controllers (Cleadon Village Primary School, Sunderland)

Ford Award for Team Spirit - The Red Dragons (Newbold Verdon Primary School, Leicestershire)

Loughborough University Award for Innovation - Transporters (Blakewater College, Blackburn)

Judges Award (for personal development of team members) - Team F.A.I.L. (Commonweal School, Wiltshire)

Judges Award (for excellent technical communication) - LEGO Models (Wooldale Junior School, Huddersfield)

The 2009 Regional Champion's Award Winners

Congratulations to all our award winners during the Smart Move Season. The following teams are our Champion's Award Winners and qualify for the National Final at Loughborough University on Saturday 23rd January 2010.

Belfast (24/11/09) - Ballyclare High School

Kent (24/11/09) - Knockholt (St Katherine's C of E Primary School)

South West Day One (25/11/09) - Widcombe Wrobotiers (Widcombe Junior School)
South West Day One (25/11/09) - Techheads (North Wilts Home Educators)

South West Day Two (26/11/09) - Team F.A.I.L. (Commonweal School)
South West Day Two (26/11/09) - Sodbury Dynamics (Chipping Sodbury School)

Cambridge (28/11/09) - TSM Roboteam (Trimley St Martin Primary School)

Staffordshire (01/12/09) - Concord College

Bedford (02/12/09) - Team Chauncy (The Chauncy School)
Bedford (02/12/09) - Walton High

Shaftesbury (03/12/09) - Transportation Transformiers (St. Margarets Prep School)

London (05/12/09) - Grey Matter

Teesside (05/12/09) - John Emmerson Batty Primary School

Far South West (07/12/09) - West Exe Technical College

Essex (08/12/09) - THS (Thorpe Hall School)

Edinburgh (08/12/09) - Duddy Cybernetic (Duddingston Primary School)

South Tyneside (09/12/09) - Cleadon Controllers

Sheffield (09/12/09) - Lego Models (Wooldale Junior School)

Merseyside (10/12/09) - Kilo 2 (King's School Macclesfield)

Blackburn (10/12/09) - Blakewater College

Hampshire (10/12/09) - Firecrackers (Reeds School, Surrey)

Manchester (11/12/09) - Eco-reatton (Boreatton Scouts Group)

Middleton and Rochdale (11/12/09) - Middleton Technology School

Peterborough (12/12/09) - Newborough Primary School

Leicestershire (15/12/09) - Newbold Verdon Primary School

Archive: 2008 Climate Connections

2009-05-23T19:33:07Z

Climate Connections Final a great success!

The UK & Ireland Final of the Climate Connections Challenge was held at Loughborough University on 24 January. There was a tremendous spirit throughout the day as teams enthusiastically competed for the coveted awards. For the first time, we were delighted to welcome teams from Scotland and N. Ireland.

The extra space offered by the Final’s new venue was welcomed by the 24 teams and spectators and it also allowed the teams to display their research materials in a much larger team pit area.

This year’s Robot Performance game had proved demanding for most teams throughout the Climate Connections season but at the Final one team – Technobotts 3 - dominated throughout the rounds all the way through to the final match, achieving a perfect 400 score along the way.

The Research Project required teams to investigate how climate affects their own community and the judges were very impressed with both the quality of the research and the creativity of the team presentations. The award winners were Tech HEds.

Teamwork is the foundation upon which success is achieved and is valued highly within FLL. The judges interviewed all the teams and decided that S.R.T. Smart Robotic Technologies were worthy winners of this award. In a closely related category, the Ford award for Team Spirit on-the-day went to Cleadon Climate Connectors.

Teams were also evaluated on the technical aspects of their robot, with judges asking questions about the robot design and the programming used to accomplish the game missions. The winners of this award were KES1.

With all the judging completed, teams were presented with their FLL medals and the scores from each team’s performance in all 4 categories were used to decide the overall FLL Champion Award winner – congratulations to Technobotts 3. The runner-up was St Gerald’s College and third place went to Widcombe Wrobotiers. These three teams will now go forward to represent the UK & Ireland at the World Festival in Atlanta and the Open European Championship in Copenhagen. We wish the teams the very best of luck- have a great time!

See the full list of Award Winners.