Exams approaching on the Tennessee Tech campus and students can get a break from studying Saturday with a Lego Building Event.
Tournament Director and Professor Kris Craven said the University will host the Mission Model Build Party. Craven said the event helps students relax while building 13 models needed for a new event next year. Tech will host the first Lego League Challenge for children ages 8 to 16.
“Basically what I’m doing with that is just giving Tennessee Tech students an opportunity to take a break from studying,” Craven said. “And come help me build these Lego mission models that I need to have built in February for the actual tournament itself.”
Craven said the mission models are the objects the robot interacts with during the competition to earn points. The Lego League kids will be able to focus on building the robot and programming it to complete each of the missions.
Craven said constructing the missions in preparation for the tournament takes time the contestants do not have much of. Craven said the kids often allocate most of their attention toward programming and building the robot, leaving little time to construct the mission models.
“We have to get it all built and last year we were like the night before scrambling to get it done,” Craven said. “So my goal was to have it done well before the tournament so we can focus on other things the night before.”
Craven said the University will host the FIRST Lego League Challenge, as the competition involves many young contestants interested in STEM. Craven said the conversations with these children are important for recruitment.
“We really want to get them interested in furthering their education and becoming a part of moving society forward,” Craven said. “So we want them to do something that is fun and engaging, but sneakily we’re going to teach them something while we’re doing it.”
Craven said these events help participants get out into the community and speak to their peers about various subjects they learn about. Craven said these tournaments are a great way of introducing kids to topics they have not heard of before.
Will need many student volunteers to help with the actual tournament itself, as younger kids will be on campus participating in activities and everyone will need help. Craven said the University will recruit students to volunteer, helping to supervise the program. Craven said those who volunteer will receive a free meal and a t-shirt.
“It’s just fun to watch the kids get excited about succeeding in this tournament,” Craven said.