FIRST® Lego League News
St. Gerald’s College Retain Irish Title
On Saturday 22nd November 2008 in the Galway Bay Hotel, St. Geralds College won the Irish final of the FIRST ® Lego League Climate Connections Challenge for the second year running competing against 16 schools from all over the country. The St. Gerald’s College team consisted of:
 L to R: Niall Mc Cormick, Colman Munnely, Micheal Healy, Paul Mc Donagh, Paul Murray
They were presented with a cheque for €3000 by SAP Galway, one of the leading software development companies in the world, who sponsored the competition nationally and provided valuable technical assistance. FIRST® is an American foundation (For Inspiration & Recognition in Science & Technology) that has been running this global competition for the last 10 years. Last year 200,000 competitors took part worldwide. The competition theme for 08-09 was called Climate Connections requiring teams to explore how climate may affect the planet and our quality of life today, tomorrow, and for future generations.
The competition has 4 sections weighted at 25% each:
1. Research Project
Each team must carry out a research project based on a particular theme for that year. This year’s theme Climate Connections required teams to explore how climate may affect the planet and our quality of life today and for future generations. Teams were required to identify one area in their community that is, or will be affected by climate. They were then to identify another community somewhere in the world with the same issue and then jointly propose a solution. Finally, all of their research and findings were to be shared with their communities through the use of surveys, websites etc. Teams are allowed 5 minutes to present their project using any format they desire. This is followed by a 10-minute question and answer session with the project judges.
2. Robot Game
This is the most well known aspect of the competition. Teams must construct and programme a robot capable of carrying out a possible 23 specific missions in a 2 ½ minute game. This is done using the LEGO NXT robotics equipment and programmed using Robolab software. The score for each mission is dependant in its level of difficulty. The eight highest scoring teams from 3 rounds go through to the quarterfinal.
3. Technical Judging
Teams are interviewed by a panel of experts and questioned on areas such as:
- Robot design including drive system, manipulation, attachments etc
- Programming including method, problem solving, use of sensors etc
- Strategy including task sequence, use of attachments etc
4. Teamwork
A panel of judges monitor each team throughout the day in the teamwork section of the competition. They look for teams that work well together as a unit are very organised and who also display excellent sportsmanship in all aspects of their participation.
St. Gerald’s College are placed 2nd in the UK & Ireland final of the FIRST® Lego League Climate Connections Challenge
 St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar were placed second overall in the UK & Ireland final of the FIRST® Lego League Climate Connections Challenge.. Having won the Irish competition St. Gerald’s went on to represent Ireland in the UK & Ireland final held in the University of Loughborough on Saturday 24th January. They competed against 23 other teams from England, Scotland and Wales coming second overall beating last years excellent result of third overall. Because of this placing the team are now through to the European Final in Copenhagen on the 2nd and 3rd of May where they will compete against teams from across Europe.
Further information on the team and their project can be found on the school website www.geralds.ie or from the team coach Declan Askin at 087 4181690. |
T4 -Video Files
