Estonian children solve trash-problems in world’s biggest robotics contest

In January, the semi-finals for the robotics contest FIRST LEGO League, which this season brings together more than 290 000 children from all over the world, will take place in Tartu, Tallinn and Jõhvi. The topic of the contest is Trash Trek and so, from Estonia 74 teams of more than 500 students will explore trash related problems and design innovative solutions as teams.

FIRST LEGO League is organised in Estonia by MTÜ Robootika together with the University of Tartu. It is the world’s biggest robotics and technology contest for children in the age group 9–16 which aims to increase children’s interest in science, technology and engineering and develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, solving problems, creativity and self-confidence.

The topic of this season is Trash Trek, from collecting to sorting, to smart production and reuse. So, contestants explore trash related problems and design innovative solutions as teams.

“In the first semi-final in Tartu, 31 school teams will participate in the LEGO Mindstorms robot contest where they have 2.5 minutes to solve trash related missions on the Trash Trek themed playing field. In addition, they will compete in robot design, trash management research projects and in team work carried by the FIRST LEGO League core values,” listed the organiser of FIRST LEGO League 2016 Heilo Altin.

Children will meet in the first semi-final in Tartu at the AHHAA Science Centre already on Saturday, 9 January 2016. The semi-final in the Tallinn energy discovery centre takes place on 16 January and in the Jõhvi Sports Hall on 23 January.

The contest is organised by MTÜ Robootika together with the University of Tartu. MTÜ Robootika is FIRST LEGO League’s official partner in Estonia.

Additional information: Heilo Altin, MTÜ Robootika representative, FIRST LEGO League 2016 organiser, tel. 51 87 617, e-mail: [email protected].