JFLL Expo - A Community Success Story!

<Check out the pictures!> [1]  <Read the Stamford Advocate Story!> [2]
Picture Credits - Lewis Finkel

[3]The first ever JFLL Expo in Stamford Connecticut was a great success!  20 teams attended this Junior FIRST LEGO League event ready to show what they had learned by taking the "Power Puzzle" challenge.  They showed off their LEGO models and "Show Me" posters to the judges.  They met with other teams to see what they had done and share their excitement about energy, science, technology, and, yes, LEGO.  They participated in cool activities and got to meet and hear from community leaders.  They came to celebrate the FIRST values of teamwork and gracious professionalism.  And they came to be recognized for their achievements with cool LEGO trophies.  Perhaps most of all, they came to HAVE FUN!

Our day started with registration.  As teams filed in and started to set up their models and posters in the auditorium, the event volunteers were busy putting the final touches on the UCONN Stamford General Re Auditorium.  The judging teams were making sure they were ready to meet the teams.  Our MCs, A/V volunteers, and all the other volunteers who made this day a success were all doing their part. 

[4]And when 10 am came, with all 20 teams ready to go, we started our opening ceremony with a beautiful live trumpet rendition of our National Anthem.  One of our guest presenters, Rungson Samroengraja, Vice President of New Product Development for Pitney Bowes, opened our ceremony by reminding us of the importance of technology innovation to all of our futures.  Rungson spoke of how hands-on science education like JFLL gives our children the opportunity to become tomorrow's innovators.

And then we were off!  Our Judges met with each team.  Spectators had a chance to see the cool things these JFLL teams had accomplished.  We all learned new things from these teams, and shared in their excitement about science, energy, and the LEGO models and posters they had created.  After enjoying lunch with all our new friends, [5]the kids all participated in an "alliance challenge".  Here, teams were paired up with other teams and together came up with a creative, unique, cheer.  All they had to do was include the words "energy", "power", and "puzzle" in their cheer.  A great time was had by all.

After a day of fun and success it was time for our closing ceremonies.  With a special visit from our very own Mayor Dannel Malloy, I'm sure the kids felt a sense of accomplishment at seeing the attention that the whole community paid to their work.  Mallika Winsor of Stamford Robotics [6] led the award ceremonies.  Our awards presenters spoke briefly before awards were presented.  Rungson Samroengraja spoke of a bright future fueled by the energy of these young people.  Al Barbarota spoke of teamwork, and reminded us of the wonderful new environmental magnet school we would soon be able to enjoy in Stamford.  Peter Dowling of Stamford Robotics spoke about FLL values and reminded our participants that in FLL "it's not about what we win, but what we discover".  Dr. Eileen Swerdlick specifically honored the junior mentors - high school and middle school students from our community who came back to make a difference by working with these young students.  Every team was honored for their acheivements, and each team was awarded a trophy made entirely of LEGO.

[7]With our event concluded it was time to reflect.  To think about what we had started some months ago - when Stamford Robotics teamed up with the Stamford Public Education Foundation and the Parent Teacher Council of Stamford to get JFLL started in Stamford.  What did we accomplish?  And what's next?

We feel our first JFLL Expo in Stamford was a great success!  With support from schools, parents, youth, and community leaders we were able to do something special.  But surely this is just a beginning and not an end.  There are many more young people to reach in Stamford.  Many more who can get to feel the excitement of science and technology.  JFLL is just the beginning.  We at Stamford Robotics are looking to the future.  How can we keep the momentum of this program going?  How do we expand this program not only with Elementary age kids, but with Middle and perhaps even High School kids?  Are you interested in helping us?  Contact us [8] to get involved.

[9]
An FLL Demo introduces kids to the "next level" competition where 5th to 9th
graders are challenged to build autonomous robots using LEGO mindstorms kits.