December 3, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Let the games begin: HWCDSB hosts FIRST LEGO League Qualifier HAMILTON, ON – On Saturday, December 5th, 2015 robotics teams from 15 elementary schools of the Hamilton-­‐Wentworth Catholic District School Board will play the robot game at Hamilton’s first FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Qualifier at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. The top three winners will have an opportunity to move on to the FLL Provincials at the University of Waterloo in January 2016. The qualifier is the final competition for elementary school FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League teams. Under the mentorship of coaches, students use hands-­‐on exploration to design, problem solve and create their own autonomous robot with LEGO parts to complete missions on a playing field. FLL teams are tested in four categories: robot matches, robot design, project, and FLL core values. This year’s theme ‘TRASH TREK’ challenges students, 9 to 14 years of age, to explore the fascinating world of trash. The experience allows students to “make connections to real life challenges that exist in their community and devise solutions using knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), says Joanne Bortolotto, Robotics Convenor for the Hamilton-­‐Wentworth Catholic District School Board. The qualifier, hosted by St. Mary’s MakeShift Robotics Team 4039, is a first for the school board, she adds. A few of the entries are established teams, but the majority are ‘rookie’ or first year teams. Secondary robotics teams from St. Mary, Bishop Ryan, Cardinal Newman and St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary Schools will be on hand to provide mentoring and “spread STEM education into the community.” Each FLL team consist of two coaches and up to 10 students. “Robotics is very much a part of the fabric of the 21st Century and providing opportunities for students to learn about its possibilities is not only important but vital to furthering the science, technology, mathematics and engineering of tomorrow,” says Superintendent of Education Morris Hucal. ...2/ -­‐2-­‐ The Hamilton FLL Qualifying Competition begins at 8:45 a.m. with Opening Ceremonies, followed by judging and robot matches at 9:00 a.m., a ‘minute-­‐to-­‐win-­‐it’ competition at 1:15 p.m., afternoon judging and robot matches at 2:00 p.m., and awards and closing ceremonies at 3:30 p.m. St. Mary Catholic Secondary School is located at 200 Whitney Avenue, Hamilton, L8S 2G7. -­‐30-­‐ For more information, please contact: Joanne Bortolotto FLL Qualifying Tournament Convenor, HWCDSB [email protected] Matt Alderson FLL Qualifying Tournament Convenor, St. Mary MakeShift Robotics [email protected] Morris Hucal Superintendent of Education, HWCDSB 905-­‐525-­‐2930, Ext. 2140 | Cell 905-­‐512-­‐5424 [email protected]