Arctic Impact 2001: Students Clash In Statewide LEGO Mindstorms Competition

FOR RELEASE: November 29, 2001

Arctic Impact 2001: Students Clash In Statewide LEGO Mindstorms Competition

Students from around the State of Michigan will clash in the University of Detroit Mercy Calihan Hall on, Saturday, December 8 as part of the national FIRST LEGO League (FLL). This is the third annual State Competition in which elementary and middle school students build robots using the LEGO Mindstorms kit and compete in a challenge called Arctic Impact 2001.

General Motors and the University of Detroit Mercy are the primary sponsors of the state competition. Additionally, Ford Motor Company and Intier Automotive are supporting sponsors of the event. Teams have been participating at the local level this fall. Now it's time to move up and demonstrate their engineering expertise to students from around the state.

Inspiring curiosity among 9 - 14 year olds in science & technology is the goal of the revolutionary program. Developed by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) through a partnership with the LEGO Company, the FIRST LEGO League presents an interactive program that captivates kids' interest in science & technology as they master the dynamics of teamwork and problem solving.

"The FIRST LEGO League is responsible for cultivating tomorrow's engineers and scientists," said Dr. Leo E. Hanifin, UDM Dean of Engineering and Science.

Each fall, FLL announces its Challenge highlighting a current scientific or technological problem facing the world. During the Challenge process, teams have 8 weeks to build, program, and test their own fully-autonomous LEGO robot capable of completing various "missions". The average team must take on specific roles and responsibilities in order to accomplish the Challenge.

Over 700 kids from across the state will attend the 1-day event. Awards will be given for achievement in the competition and for outstanding engineering, design, and sportsmanship. A distinguished panel will serve as judges including: Nancy Cassis, 38th District Representative to the State of Michigan; Ken Hill, Director of DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program); and Al Canton, Executive Director, GM Proving Grounds and Test Labs will host the event.

"The enthusiasm that these kids bring to the program is extraordinary," said Canton. "It is as exciting as any sporting event."

With a long history of involvement in the FIRST High School Robotics Competition, the HOT Team, Huron Valley Schools and GM Proving Ground, and 'da Bears, Berkley High School and the University of Detroit Mercy, have collaborated to produce the State of Michigan Tournaments. Both teams have played an instrumental role in bringing the FLL to their school districts.

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE STATE OF MICHIGAN TOURNAMENT

Date: December 8, 2001

Where:
University of Detroit Mercy, McNichols Campus - Calihan Hall
4001 W. McNichols
Detroit, MI

Time:
Doors open at 8 am; Competition starts at 9 am

Team Capacity:
60 Teams

Web Site:
http://eng-sci.udmercy.edu/precol/fll/

Media:
Electronic and Print Media Welcome Area
Interviews with Sponsors, Judges, and Participants available

Contacts:
Gerald M. Wilson, GM Proving Ground 248-685-6171, Gerald.M.Wilson@GM.Com

Dan Maggio, University of Detroit Mercy 313-993-1435, maggiodd@udmercy.edu