JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Aug. 25, 2017 — Renaissance JaxTM, Northeast Florida’s FIRST LEGO League competitive robotics affiliate, will host a kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 2 introducing coaches, teachers, parents, and students to the “HYDRODYNAMICS” and “AQUA ADVENTURE” themes presented by FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO League Jr. for the 2017-2018 competition. The event will be held at Jacksonville University, the Official Education Partner of Renaissance Jax.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 2
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – FREE and Open to the Public
WHERE: Jacksonville University
Larry Strom Amphitheater (located on the riverfront)
2800 University Blvd. N
Jacksonville, FL 32211
Representatives from Renaissance Jax and the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub will be available for interviews about the importance of robotics in STEM education and careers. Local students from ages six to 16 participating in the robotics leagues will learn more about the new Robot Game mat, mission models, and scoring. This year’s global themes highlight the importance of water as a natural resource, and students will be asked to problem-solve using their robotics skills for how societies should find, transport, use, or dispose of it. Read FIRST’s national announcement for the 2017-2018 season.
“Renaissance Jax is excited to continue its work with FIRST in Northeast Florida and is thankful to the local partners like the STEM2 Hub, Duval County Public Schools, and Jacksonville University that provide support to the effort,” shared Mark McCombs, the Executive Director of Renaissance Jax. “We have spent the entire off-season preparing to give the kids an experience that will ignite their passion for learning and we cannot wait to get started.”
“Robotics plays a vital role in educational STEM programming for students, and Renaissance Jax has truly championed the expansion of these opportunities in Northeast Florida,” said Robert Copeland, executive director for the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub. “There’s no substitute for programs like FIRST Lego League to open students’ eyes to new possibilities for their future, and we are so pleased to partner with Renaissance Jax for another year of rewarding, exciting STEM learning.”
“The partnership between Jacksonville University and Renaissance Jax provides an impactful opportunity for Northeast Florida students. We’re creating unique experiences that offer participants in FIRST Robotics a holistic, lifelong connection to their creativity, robotics, and STEM as a whole. We’re proud to be the Official Education Partner of Renaissance Jax and will continue to be at the forefront of enhanced STEM offerings to students K through 12, and beyond,” said Clayton Levins, the community relations coordinator for Jacksonville University.
About Renaissance Jax, Inc.
Renaissance Jax is a non-profit organization dedicated to invigorating technology culture in Jacksonville, Florida. As an official Lego League Affiliate Partner for FIRST, we help Jacksonville-area kids and teenagers explore their love for engineering and technology in a fun, educational environment that promotes academic and career achievement.
About the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub
The Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub represents an investment made by 15 companies headquartered in Jacksonville to convene, inspire, and invest in the STEM2 field by providing the essential missing elements to accelerate the growth of STEM2 education and careers in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. For a list of corporate board members and more information about the STEM2 field in Northeast Florida, visit our website at stem2hub.org.
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