Photo Credit: FIRST Robotics Newsroom, Website
Usually robots and building blocks are recognized as toys, however this local programming team utilizes them as educational tools.
The FIRST Robotics LEGO Team at the Arnprior and District Museum holds weekly get-togethers where kids can build, learn, design and even program their own robots to solve local issues and compete in tournaments.
Daniel Williams, Education Coordinator with the museum says the program helps children learn through problem solving, design and teamwork.
One of the overall goals of the group is their competitions. Kids will spend time refining the coding and design of the robots to get them tournament ready.
Williams says the program helps children learn about ongoing issues in the community and teaches them ways to adapt or attempt to solve said issue through an innovation project.
Already waitlisted, the team at the museum is exploring ways to open the program up for more children to join as FIRST Robotics has a limit of 10 children per team to qualify for tournaments. Williams explains that none of this would be possible without the work from their dedicated volunteers.
For more information on the FIRST Robotics LEGO club and to see if spots become available, visit the Town of Arnprior’s website.
(Written by: Bob Kubbinga)
