FIRST LEGO League Tournament

Goal: Introduce middle school students, age 9-14, to the fun and experience of solving real-world problems by applying math, science and technology.

Strategy: Students design, build and program robots to solve an annual real-world problem using LEGO™ Mind storms kits while working with mentors.

The partnership between Newark Public Schools, NJ and NJIT began in 2003 in preparation for the district’s middle school children to compete in the local and state FIRST LEGO League (FLL) tournaments. A team of NJIT college students serve as Technical Advisors/Mentors with the responsibility of working with the teacher coach and middle school teams, at their school location, during the design, build, programming and practice phases of the project which results in a team LEGO™ robot. These college students also facilitated along with the coach the planning and development of the team’s Research Presentations that will be judged at the tournament. Another group of college students are convened as the Resource Team to provide technical support at Saturday Help Clinics for coaches and students.

FIRST Robotics Competition

Goal: Inspire high school students, grades 9th-12th, to learn more and pursue further opportunities in science, engineering and technology.

Strategy: Students design, build and program 120 pound robots for an annual game competition while working with mentors over a six-week period which will develop skills in engineering, technology, math, project management, communications and teamwork.

The partnership between Newark Public Schools, NJ and NJIT began in 2001 in preparation for the district’s high school children to compete in the state regional FIRST Robotics Competition. A team of NJIT staff serve as Technical Advisors/Technicians in a Machine Shop location on the college campus to assist the coach and team during the engineering design process. A team of college students serve as Technical Advisors/Mentors with the responsibility of working with the teacher coach and middle school teams, at their school location, during the design, build, programming and practice phases of the six-week project which results in the team’s autonomous and remote controlled robot that will play the annual game.