JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Nov. 2, 2017 — New STEM and robotics learning opportunities will be available in Jacksonville’s Urban Core this weekend thanks to a partnership between the Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub, Renaissance Jax, and Bethel Baptist Institutional Church.
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
WHERE: Bethel Baptist Institutional Church
215 Bethel Baptist St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
The practice robotics tournament will be open to students from nine to 15 years old who are part of an existing FIRST LEGO League team and who have not participated in a previous practice tournament this year. Parents and children who are interested in learning more about competitive robotics are welcome to come out and see what the activities are like for themselves.
The 2017-2018 competition theme, HYDRO DYNAMICSSM” , focuses on water: how people find, transport, use, or dispose of it. Guided by two or more adult coaches, FIRST LEGO League teams comprising up to 10 members in grades four through eight research a real-world problem related to the competition theme and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, and program a robot using LEGO software, then compete on a tabletop playing field.
“The FIRST robotics programs develop and refine the programming, engineering, and problem-solving skills that students will need to compete in the future workforce,” said Robert Copeland, executive director of the STEM2 Hub. “Hosting robotics activities at The Bethel Church helps us reach even more students in Jacksonville’s Urban Core neighborhoods with engaging and exciting STEM activities so that they can start to picture themselves in STEM careers and learn more about opportunities in these fields.”
“We are continually impressed with the outpouring of support from our community and are excited to work with Bethel Baptist to grow an amazing presence with FIRST LEGO League so that students and mentors can grow from the site each year. What they’re doing with the BEST Academy is amazing and we are looking forward to the church becoming a premier site for competitive youth robotics in the region,” said Mark McCombs, executive director of Renaissance Jax, the Northeast Florida affiliate for FIRST LEGO League.
About the Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub
The Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub represents an investment initially made by 15 companies headquartered in region. The mission is 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 the 7 North Florida counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns. For a list of the current corporate board members and more information about the STEM2 Hub in Northeast Florida, visit our website at stem2hub.org.
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