C.E.S. F.I.R.S.T. LEGO LeagueFounded in 2003 by Steve Coxon and Henry Bass
F.I.R.S.T. is an acronym meaning For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology. The Christiansburg Elementary School F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League (FLL) teams work each year to create and program a LEGO robot that uses LEGO Mindstorms pieces including motors, touch and light sensors, and other LEGO elements to complete a series of challenges for local and state competitions amongst dozens of other teams. As the actual challenge accounts for only 25% of the score, we also prepare a research presentation on the topic, work to understand our robot and programs, and focus on teamwork and gracious professionalism. Generally, we meet twice each week for an hour and a half in the fall, often increasing the meetings and length as competition approaches. The local competition is generally held on a weekend in November, while the state competition is held on a weekend in December.CES FIRST LEGO League History2008
Mrs. Daniels and Mrs. Bass started two teams at CES after Mr. Coxon moved to Williamsburg to work on his Ph.D. These teams embarked on an exploration of the earth's climate in the Climate Connections Challenge! They discovered the links between science, people, resources, and communities. They unearthed how we learn about past climates and delved into questions surrounding our current and future climatic conditions. They worked to create a global game plan as they made these Climate Connections and both went on to compete strongly at the state level!
2007
How do our personal energy choices to heat our homes, fuel our cars, charge our cell phones, power our computers, or even download music to our iPods impact the environment, economy, and life around the globe? Which resources should we use and why? Explore how energy production and consumption choices affect the planet and our quality of life today, tomorrow, and for future generations. Can FIRST LEGO League teams find the ultimate solution to this global Power Puzzle?For Power Puzzle, the aptly named Lego Legends did an energy audit of the Christiansburg Town Hall, researched their findings, and presented numerous ways for the town to save money before the mayor and Town Council. The team competed with 16 teams at the regional tournament on November 10th, seizing the Teamwork Award, taking fourth for the robot game, and coming in thrid overall.
3-2-1 Lego Legends!
Lego Parade
Proud Winners
2006
The CES Micro Missiles worked hard on Nano Quest to prepare for the regional competition on November 11.
Mr. Coxon served as a Judge of Robot Design at the State tournament,
and spoke on LEGO Robotics at the National Curriculum Networking Conference at William and Mary in March.
2005
Ocean Odyssey provided us with lots of challenges in the ocean's depths.
At the regional competition on November 12th, the CES Ship Wreckers impressed the judges
with our four-sensor robot and took home the Technical Award for the third year in a row! We also placed second on the
competition table by releasing the dolphin, tagging the shark, fixing the pipeline, recycling the
artificial reef, raising a flag on the ship wreck, and protecting the pump station.
We went to the state competition on December 4th at BHS and brought our second Judges' Award home to CES.
Look at our many plaques and trophies on display in the CES office.2004
The No Limits challenge focused on using robotics to aide the handicapped.
The Really Wheelie Wheel Chairs won the Presentation Award and
the Rampaging Robots won the Technical Award at the regional competition.
The teams shared the Judges' Award at the state competition, tying for 17th place overall.
2003
Colonizing the red planet was the theme of the Mission Mars challenge.
The Robot Rookies won both the Technical and the Judges' Awards at the regional competition,
garnering third place overall to become one of the few first-year teams to go on to the state level.
LEGO links to explore:
Lego Education Store--Order Lego Mindstorm and other educational Lego products here
http://www.legoeducation.com/Default.aspx
Lego Portfolio
http://www.ericharshbarger.org/lego/portfolio.html
Mindstorms Robotics--The greatest toy of all time just got better
http://mindstorms.lego.com/eng/default.asp
