Wick primary pupils take part in British finals of First Lego Challenge
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A group of Wick pupils put their Lego skills to the test when they took part in the British finals of a global educational competition.
Eight teams took part in the First Lego League Challenge north Highland tournament earlier this year, which was held at the Engineering Technology and Energy Centre in Thurso, part of UHI North, West and Hebrides.
The victorious team, named The Ten Lego-Teers, from Newton Park Primary School in Wick then went on to compete in the British finals in Harrogate, thanks to funding from Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North Highland and NRS Dounreay.
The First Lego League Challenge is a global competition that provides young people with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) fields. The programme aims to give participants aged between four and 16 valuable problem-solving skills that will help them build a better future.
Newton Park’s acting deputy head Craig Cormack said “Thank you to DYW North Highland and NRS Dounreay who funded the trip to Harrogate, allowing the children to compete in the finals.
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“The day of the Lego Challenge was packed full of engaging STEM activities and challenges for everyone to complete, alongside their robot games and presentations which the children worked hard to prepare for over several months.
“The whole trip was a great experience for our children and I’m sure it will stay with them for a long time to come.”
Trudy Morris, CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and DYW North Highland lead, congratulated the tam from Newton Park and said she was proud of all the teams who had taken part in the north Highland competition.
“First Lego League is a fun and educational programme that encourages young people to use their imaginations and creativity to build the future,” she said. “Through hands-on activities, children are able to learn important skills like problem-solving and teamwork, which will help them succeed in their future careers.
“Programmes like this not only help build confidence but also provide participants with practical skills that they can use in real-world situations. Experiences like First Lego League are an important way to help our young people grow and succeed.”
Marie Mackay, employee engagement specialist at NRS Dounreay, said: “We were very impressed by all the teams that participated in the challenge from their presentations, robot design, programming skills and problem solving to great team work. All who took part gained new skills and personal development that hopefully they can build on in the future.
“NRS Dounreay was pleased to be able to give The Ten-Lego-Teers the additional experience of competing in the British final. This has been a very positive experience for them and we look forward to giving other pupils the opportunity next year.”
The global First Lego League states that its aim is to inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding and design skills through hands-on STEM learning and robotics.
The programme is delivered in the UK and Ireland by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which says it is committed to inspiring the next generation of engineers and technicians.
