10 December 2009
Youngsters build robots in climate change challenge
As international experts meet in Copenhagen to fight climate change, local school children from across Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire visited the University of Sheffield yesterday (9 December 2009) to explore the issue themselves.
The children took part in the `Smart Move´ Challenge, which saw the youngsters explore the issue of climate change and the impact it has on individuals and the planet, through the building and programming of their own autonomous robots.
The event, which took place at the University´s Octagon Centre, was the regional heat of the annual First Lego League national robotics competition that the University has hosted for the past six years. It is designed to help youngsters learn more about the science behind the Challenge theme and better understand the work of professionals in the fields of science and engineering.
The children, who are aged between nine and sixteen, have been working in teams since September to research, design, build and program robots based on the `Smart Move, Climate Connections´ theme and, on the day of the competition, used them to complete several designated tasks and give presentations to engineers and scientific experts.
This year´s theme focused on modes of transportation beyond usual daily routines, and will encourage participants to think about accessing people, places, goods and services in the safest, most efficient way possible.
The ´Lego Models´ team from Wooldale Junior School, near Huddersfield were the winners of the event and will now go through to compete in the national finals. The national winner will compete in the international final in the USA next year.
The event was compèred by Dr Anthony Simons from the University´s Department of Computer Science.
Dr Simons said: "This is a great way of engaging our youngsters in such an important issue, whilst allowing them to have some fun and compete in an exciting challenge. The problem of climate change will undoubtedly pass from one generation to the next and I was delighted to see so much enthusiasm from the young people at the event, who clearly have a keen awareness of one of the world´s most pressing issues."
Melanie Lawson, 15 from Firth Park Community Arts College, said: "I´ve enjoyed seeing the robots work today after putting the work in over the last few months. It´s been really interesting as I´ve never done anything like this before. I´ve learnt that you´ve got to be patient and continue to make adjustments until you get it right. I am already aware of climate change issues, but by building the robots, we´ve learnt about different types of transport available to reduce CO2 emissions." Notes for Editors: This year´s event sees many local schools participating for the first time:
Wooldale Junior School, Holmfirth
Dinnington Comprehensive School
Bradford Girls Grammar School
Brinsworth Comprehensive School
Firth Park Community College
Garforth Community College, Leeds
Wickersley School and Sports College
Wingfield Business & Enterprise College, Rotherham
Bradfield School, Sheffield
Birley Community College
Castleford High School
Tapton School, Sheffield
Campsmount Technology College, Doncaster
Carlton Le Willows School, Nottingham
Winners in the different categories were as follows:
Best overall: `Lego Models´ team - Wooldale Junior School
Best performance on the challenge table: `CLW SciClub 2´ team - Carlton Le Willows School
Best research presentation: `Lego Models´ team - Wooldale Junior School
Best technical design: `Dinno Globe Huggers´ team - Dinnington Comprehensive School.
Best teamwork: `Thunderbots´ team - Firth Park Community Arts College
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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