Lego-loving students descend on QUT

Lego-loving school students descended on QUT's Kelvin Grove campus over the weekend when the university's Faculty of Education hosted the national final of the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics competition.

Talented children aged 9 to 16 came armed with ingenuity beyond their years to compete in the event, which also included the Brisbane final of the FLL.

Glendal School from Melbourne won the national title, with North Lakes State College won the Brisbane championship and won the research project for the national titles.

The Australian National FIRST LEGO League Finals attracted about 25 teams from Queensland, interstate and even one team from China.

Dr Vinesh Chandra from QUT's School of Mathematics, Science and Technology said the young participants had to do a series of challenges which were only revealed to them two months ago. They included solving a genuine transport problem with the help of their little Lego robots.

"They get to see how other students do the same thing, so in real terms it also shows that there's not just the one way to solve a problem," Dr Chandra said.

And while the event was plenty of fun, it also had a serious aim of engage young students in science and maths.

The first three place-getters are eligible to compete in the world titles overseas next year.

The Lego League at QUT attracted TV coverage on the ABC and Channel 7 and Channel 9 over the weekend. Click on the link below to view the ABC News story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2009/11/28/2756396.htm

Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, 07 3138 2130 or ml.mcmahon@qut.edu.au
- Ian Eckersley, QUT media manager, 07 3138 2361 or ian.eckersley@qut.edu.au