Robotics
New Architecture-Themed LEGO Sets Debut for 2019–2020 FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Jr. Season
LEGO Education and FIRST today unveiled two new robotics sets for the 2019-2020 FIRST LEGO League season, both themed around architecture. LEGO Education also announced a competition expansion pack for its recently released SPIKE Prime.
The BOOMTOWN Build Inspire Set is designed for FIRST LEGO League Jr. It challenges kids aged 6 to 10 to “think about how to build a city to accommodate all different types of people,” according to LEGO Education. “These teams use LEGO Education’s WeDo2.0 to create the robotics part of their project.”
The CITY SHAPER Challenge Set lets students “build and code an autonomous LEGO Education robot to complete the series of architecture-themed missions on the competition mat/playing field. Missions emulate real-world challenges like inspecting a building for cracks or designing a city that is accessible for people with varying needs.”
The SPIKE Prime Competition Expansion Set includes eight guided lessons and instructions tailored for teachers and students who are new to robotics.
“If you meet students where they are, challenge them appropriately, allow them meaningful failures, they will ultimately succeed, and this builds their confidence and desire to learn more, try more and stretch themselves and their learning,” said Esben Stærk Jørgensen, president of LEGO Education, in a prepared statement. “We believe all students can gain confidence in STEAM through hands-on learning. We are excited for all FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO League Jr. participants to build their confidence in learning while competing with our newest architecture-themed sets and now with the addition of our intuitive and adaptive LEGO Education SPIKE Prime.”
“FIRST LEGO League Jr. and FIRST LEGO League allow students to engage in the same real-world challenges that scientists and engineers face today,” said Donald E. Bossi, president of FIRST, in a prepared statement. “This coming season we’re thrilled for teams to explore city life through the architecture theme and create new, innovative solutions to improve our communities for the future. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of young students will be building problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills that are critical to their own future success.”
The SPIKE Prime Competition Expansion Set is expected to ship in August. It’s available for preorder now. It runs $99.95.