Information session for Lego robotics club

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YOUNG robotics enthusiasts in the Derwent Valley are gearing up for the second year of participation in the First Lego League competition and there is room for more members to join the fun.

First Lego League is a national and international science and engineering competition for students aged nine to 16 years," Derwent Valley Youth Future Action Team (D'FAT) facilitator Matt Hill said. “The problem-solving competition has up-to teams of 10 students building, programming and competing with a robot, which must complete challenges to score points,” he said.

At the same time, participants are learning about a modern problem in science and engineering, and developing solutions for it. Past themes include natural disasters, senior citizens, food health and safety, climate change, medical science, and nanotechnology.

D’FAT chairman Nic Kaiser said Rotary Club of Derwent Valley had kindly provided funding to assist with the continued participation of the local Lego League team in the program. Additional support is received from the Children's University Tasmania and the Salvation Army.

Mr Kaiser said an information session for potential participants would be held at the New Norfolk Salvation Army headquarters, 79 Hamilton Rd, at 4pm this Thursday, August 15, to learn more about the program and see this year's challenges.

The information program leads on to a 10-week program, to be held on Saturday mornings from August 24 to October 26. The state competition will be held in Hobart on November 2. Thanks to the support of D'FAT, Rotary, Children's University Tasmania and the Salvation Army, there is no cost for participation in the program.

For more information or to register your interest, visit www.facebook.com/groups/derwent youth or contact Matt Hill on 0459 096 003.