In just a few weeks, the halls of Newton North High School will be filled with hundreds of FIRST Lego Leaguers, taking part in the Newton Qualifier, a competition hosted by the LigerBots on November 19. From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm more than 30 FLL Teams will compete for the chance to continue to the State Championship. This year, there are two championships, and we have the distinct pleasure of hosting a massive one, for 48 teams, on December 17.

At the November event we are also hosting a mini maker fair where participants will bring something to show or something to do. (iRobot is coming again and we hope that a PacBot will be coming with them. The Newton North Greengineering Club last year offered the chance to power a radio with a bike, and Einstein’s Workshop did a small LED activity).

FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) immerses teams of up to 10 students, ages 9-14 (grades 4-8), in real-world scientific and technological problems. Teams research and design solutions to a scientific question or problem and build autonomous LEGO® robots that compete in performing assigned missions. The theme for 2016 is ANIMAL ALLIES(SM) focusing on the interrelationships between humans and animals. Experience in FIRST® LEGO® League prepares students well for high-school-level robotics with the LigerBots.

The public is invited to view the competition and participate in the mini maker fair. We hope you will come to Newton North on November 19 and check out both.