A PlayPump Story Takes Students On A Water Journey

How often are children told to wash their hands or drink lots of water? Probably pretty often. Many have easy access to swimming pools, fountains, fresh water lakes, some even have the ocean right in their backyard. Unfortunately it’s a sad reality that accessible clean water is a luxury to many parts of the world.

So how do we teach young people to appreciate such a valuable resource when their accessibility to water is literally at the turn of a tap?

You let them discover the journey.

In FIRST^® LEGO^® League Jr., students learn about a very special outdoor play apparatus in South Africa called a PlayPump. In the communities where these were built, children are able to play on this practical merry-go-round that pumps water out of the ground and into a holding tank. From there, a tap can be opened so the community can access this clean water supply when needed. Students find out the benefits of this invention, and also the challenges that it faces. Furthermore, they learn that this isn’t a one step process.

In conjunction with their Inspire Model (a LEGO Water Pump), students build the different stages that water travels in order to get to where it can be used.

Next on their Aqua Adventure, students will choose a water use that they’ll focus their team model around!

Are you interested in becoming a coach or mentor? It’s not too late start a FIRST LEGO League Jr. team. Email us at mentors@frcwest.com today!

October 10, 2017June 9, 2019

FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. begins their AQUA ADVENTURE

Getting pumped for the FIRST^® LEGO^® League Jr. 2017/2018 season? In the AQUA ADVENTURE^SM Challenge, more than 40,000 children will navigate the uncharted waters of this most valuable resource. In British Columbia and Alberta we have a combined total 31 FIRST LEGO League Jr. teams. On behalf of FIRST Robotics Society of western Canada, I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to all, especially to those volunteers, mentors and coaches who without your contribution, this program would not be possible.

FIRST LEGO League Jr. (FLL Jr.) is a non-competitive, hands-on, STEM based program designed for children ages 6 – 9. It is the first of four programs offered by FIRST. It sets the foundation for students to learn basic engineering and programming skills while igniting their creativity by using LEGO as their medium. Students are presented with a real world challenge and guided using research, critical thinking, teamwork, gracious professionalism and of course fun!

This week some of our teams learned about FIRST Core Values and built a LEGO water pump which they will incorporate into their final team model.

This is sure to be an exciting season! Please stay tuned for more and don’t forget to follow us on our social media!

February 22, 2017June 9, 2019

Crown Cup Schedule – February 25 2017

Crown Cup Schedule

Registration begins 7am – 8am	7:00am – 8:00am	All teams sign in, pay fee’s, and move to designated pit area
Team Welcome in Pits 8am – 8:15	8:00am – 8:15am	Director welcomes team and provides brief instructions
Practice tables open 8:30am-3pm	8:30am – 3 pm	Teams must schedule practice rounds with pit supervisor
Judging 8:30am to 2pm	8:30am – 2:00pm	Core Values, Report, and Robot Design in Classrooms by Competition Fields.
Performance rounds 10am-2:15	10:00am – 2:15pm	On field competitions
Lunch 12:00 12:30	12:00pm – 12:30pm	Lunch Break for Volunteers. Teams lunch according to their schedule
Guest Speakers 3:00 – 4pm	3:00pm – 4:00pm	All teams meet in EAST Atrium for Brian Keating’s talk
Closing and Awards Presentations 4 – 4:30	4:00pm – 4:30pm

December 2, 2016June 9, 2019

Calgary FLL Cancelled?

Did you see that?
Seems that the Alberta Youth Robotics Society cancelled the Calgary FLL competition run by your FIRST Robotics Society.
You probably planned on attending. Well, so did we… and we already booked a GREAT venue, the sound system, volunteers and a whole bunch of FLL tables.

So we figured if we have all this ready, why not compete?

That’s right, GAME ON!

FIRST Robotics Society Western Canada has announced the Canada Crown Cup FLL tournament in Calgary, which you can read all about here!

December 2, 2016June 9, 2019

Crown Cup of Canada FLL Tournament Announced!

You and your FLL team are hereby invited to participate in the FLL Crown Cup of Canada competition, presented by FIRST Robotics Society of Western Canada and the same incredible volunteers that have made FLL dreams come true for years.

Same place, same time. No need to adjust your calendar, no need to make new field trip forms! Already have a hotel reservation? Keep it! Booked a bus? Yellow or silver, no need for a new map for the driver.
Crown Cup of Canada FLL Competition
Animal Allies
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
February 25, 2017
Open to all teams from anywhere
Tournament fee: $100/team

Tournament registration opens at 3:00 p.m. MST December 1, 2016 at http://frcwest.com/crown-cup-of-canada-registration/

September 2, 2016June 9, 2019

LEGO Imagine Nation Tour

We’re so excited to be partnering with the LEGO Imagine Nation Tour! LEGO fans of all ages can discover life-size LEGO models, dive into a huge Brick Pit, learn from a Master Model Builder, walk away with giveaways, and more!

To celebrate its stop at Calgary’s BMO Centre from September 9-11, we have 5 sets of 4 tickets up for grabs for you and your family to enjoy! ~~To enter to win simply fill out the form below.~~ (Contest is closed)

We’re also pleased to offer you 25% off tickets to the event! Visit www.LEGOImagineNationTour.com and use the promo code: LEGOFIRST at checkout! Promo code is valid until Monday September 5 at 11:55pm.

Who’s joining the fun?

Brought to you by the FIRST Robotics Society.