More than 130 young people have gathered today at the University of Girona to take part in the FIRST® LEGO® League local robotics tournament. The second edition of this competition, held at the Polytechnic College, on the Montilivi Campus, has focused on improving food quality and preventing food contamination.
The University of Girona (UdG), the Prince of Girona Foundation and the Scientia Foundation, with the support of the UdG's Social Council, together organised this global robotic challenge aimed at young people between 10 and 16 years of age. The spirit of this challenge, which is designed to be a sporting, festive and friendly event, centres on a concept called coopertition, which is a blend of 'cooperation' and 'competition'.
The event was attended by the mayor of Girona, Carles Puigdemont; the Director of Girona's Territorial Education Services, Albert Bayot; the Vice-Rectors of the UdG, Martí Casadesús (Planning and Quality) and M. Rosa Terradellas (Students, Cooperation and Equality); Mònica Margarit, General Manager of the Prince of Girona Foundation, and Ricard Huguet, Chairman and the Scientia Foundation.
This international initiative, which is being promoted in Spain by the Scientia Foundation, aims to encourage children's future careers in science and technology, and transmit the values of innovation, creativity and team work.
From 9 o'clock in the morning more than 130 participants divided into 16 teams from various high schools and private initiatives competed with autonomous robots that they had built and programmed earlier using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT, to complete a series of missions linked to food safety. In addition, the competitors also had to present a scientific project on the same subject and explain the technical project behind the construction of their robot to a jury.
The teams have been supported by a coach, in most cases a teacher, who has provided guidance and advice during the eight weeks of preparation leading up to today's event.
Food safety
This year's challenge, The Food Factor, consisted of exploring food safety and examining possible sources of contamination, from exposure to insects to processing and transport in non-sterile conditions, or preparation and storage without health guarantees. Finally, the teams had to find a way of preventing or avoiding these types of food contamination.
The robot challenge involved completing various missions against the clock. In addition to the competition, the teams also presented the technical aspects of their robots to a jury and also defended a global research project, which involved finding an innovative solution to an existing and tangible problem. This aspect of the competition, while not as high-profile, is nevertheless extremely important.
A total of 8 prizes were awarded:
- Robot Design Award, to the Montgrí Institute
- Robot Behaviour Award, to Salvauth Park
- Entrepreneurial Award, to LM Rocagrossa Robot
- Coach Award, to AntiRobota
- Rising Star Award, to Androids Cassà
- FIRST LEGO League Values Award, to LegoGran
- Scientific Project Award, to Els Geeks de la Nit
- GMV First Prize, to aD149
The champion's prize earns the Alexandre Deulofeu "aD149" team a place in the Spanish finals, which will be held in Pamplona on 11 March. This prize is awarded to the team that shone as a role model for the FIRST LEGO League values and which achieved excellence and innovation both in the design of their robot and the scientific project.
For further information see: http://www.udg.edu/firstll
