Basque students between the ages of 10 and 16 had a great day on May 8, in the final of the FIRST LEGO League Euskadi. It is an educational program that brings young people closer to science and technology in a fun way and through a thematic challenge, which is repeated in every country in the world. This year, it was proposed to reinvent the game and sport to the participating teams with the goal of achieving a more active society. The educational program was organized by the Basque Innovation Agency Innobasque in collaboration with the University of Deusto, Fomento de San Sebastián and Mondragon Unibertsitatea, partners of Innobasque. They presented this year’s innovative and safe format, which had a top priority from the very beginning: ensuring social and health security at all times.

Thus, the 12th FIRST LEGO League final in the Basque Country was innovative and safe. The students went to Deusto (Bilbao), San Sebastián and Mondragón and there were 15 groups in each of the three residences, but, unlike in previous editions, there were no spectators. Every hour, four groups passed through each residence. Thus, bubble groups were maintained and contact between students from different schools was avoided.

After months of preparation, the teams defended in front of a jury three areas of the tournament: innovation projects that responded to the thematic challenge, had to build the design and programming of the Lego Mindstorms robot, and showed that they internalized the values ​​of FIRST LEGO League. innovation, impact, inclusion, collaboration and fun.

In addition, this innovative format had a program that was broadcast on the Twitch platform, through the 'FLLEuskadi' channel. During this performance, the FIRST LEGO League was announced in the Basque Country season, and it was also connected to the three venues to announce the winning teams. Seven teams were awarded at each residence and two of them qualified for the FIRST LEGO League State Finals: the most complete team and the team with the best innovation project. Thus, six Basque teams took part in the Spanish final, which will take place virtually in June. The best teams will also have access to the FIRST LEGO League international finals.

One challenge: redesigning the game and the sport

The international organization of the education program proposes an annual thematic challenge, the same for all students in the world. The challenge in this edition is RePLAY, and teams need to redefine the way they play, play sports and move, to encourage physical activity and to be more active. In addition, the challenge also has a pandemic aspect, as it allows for the response to sedentary problems.

The FIRST LEGO League Euskadi had 33 Basque schools this year, divided into 90 teams, in two categories: 45 teams in the Challenge category, aged between 10 and 16; and 45 in the Explore category, ages 6 to 9. A total of 1,300 schools took part, of which 400 were in the Basque final on 8 May, in three locations. And another 250 children participated in the Explore category. It was April 12, at their schools.

Thus, the 12th edition of the FIRST LEGO League Euskadi was held with the innovative format of the multi-venue tournament, thanks to the participating schools and the three organizing bodies; Together with Innobasque, they shared their commitment to sparking their interest in technical careers by approaching science, problem solving and innovation.

Leire Bilbao, General Manager of Innobasque, emphasized that “FIRST LEGO League Euskadi is a reference STEAM education program in the Basque Country. This year is the 12th edition and is part of the STEAM Euskadi Education Strategy, promoted by the Basque Government, to promote early vocations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, related to the arts and humanities ”.

Asier Perallos, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Deusto: “I would like to highlight the excitement of our first experience in the Deusto community as a member last year. More than 100 volunteers took part ”. In fact, the friendly competition behind the FLL is fully in line with the values ​​of our university: learning, collaboration and contribution to society. Despite the pandemic, we will be able to keep these values ​​in force in the new edition ”.
Marisol Garmendia, Councilor for Economic Promotion of San Sebastián City Council: “The most important commitment to innovation and economic development in our city is to focus on people, especially young people, because the future is in their hands. We are committed to providing the keys, tools and connection to various actors so that they can develop their technical and personal skills, and in this sense, the FIRST LEGO League is a fully compatible project ”.
Vicente Atxa, Rector of Mondragon Unibertsitatea: “Stimulating a vocation in STEM education is essential to meet the profiles that Basque companies and the economy will need. That is why Mondragon Unibertsitatea has been organizing FLL Euskadi for 2 years. FLL Euskadi means teamwork, relationship with Basque industry, active student participation; for they propose ideas, make decisions, and create and test solutions. Like Mondragon Unibertsitatea, FLL Euskadi brings students closer to the real world and gives them the opportunity to learn the world of STEM ”.

More information:

www.innobasque.eus/microsite/first-lego-league-euskadi