DAVENPORT, IOWA (November 20, 2021) — Dozens of Iowa youth will take part at an internationally-based robotics competition, FIRST® LEGO® League (ages 9 to 14), hosted by the Quad Cities Engineering and Science Council along with Iowa State University College of Engineering at the Putnam Museum and Science Center.

John Deere World Headquarters will play host to the 2015-2016 FTC Kick-Off on Saturday, September 12.  The event is put on by John Deere, QCESC (Quad Cities Engineer and Science Council), and the Quad Cities FTC Community. The Kick-Off will feature breakout sessions to learn more about different aspects of FTC from 8-11 AM and the highlight will be the game reveal at 11 AM.

FIRST®, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is a global nonprofit organization with the mission to inspire the next generation of technology leaders. FIRST Tech Challenge, designed for students from 7th - 12th grades, kicks off its season with the annual game reveal each September.  This marks the start of a process of designing and building robots to compete in the game.

Of note this year is a new control system just introduced by FIRST. The new robot control system is Android based, with Android devices on both the robot itself, and in the hands of drivers. This represents the first large scale application of the Android operating system in student based robotics.

Now FIRST Tech Challenge teams can program robots while learning to design apps. Perhaps even more important, the native language of Android is Java, the same programming language high school students are learning and the basis for their AP programming coursework. Learning to code and develop apps, while creating a robot and competing against other teams, is a first for Android and an exciting way to engage the next generation of programmers, app developers, and engineers. In fact, mobile device designers are one of the hottest

FTC Iowa will compete in a League Format throughout November and December with the League Championship will take place at Davenport West High School on Saturday, February 6, 2016.  FTC Illinois will compete at various locations throughout the state including Peoria and Chicago.  Last year, the Combustible Lemons (Davenport West) and Deviation from the Norm (Pleasant Valley) had exceptional seasons, both making it to the North-Super Regional and the Combustible Lemons going to the World Championship. Students who participate in FIRST Tech Challenge are eligible for over $16 million in college scholarships provided by participating universities and sponsors. The public is invited to the kickoff to learn more about FIRST Tech Challenge, start a team, or volunteer.

For more information contact Greg Smith - smithgregoryryan@gmail.com

Registration for students and volunteers will continue to be accepted as long as there is space available.  Feel free to forward this information to others that might be interested in attending.  Last year 375 students attended the camp.

The 6th annual QCESC Engineering Kids Camp will be held on July 21 - July 25,  2014 at the Putnam Museum in Davenport.  The camp is a collaboration between the non-profit  Quad City Engineering and Science Council, the Putnam Museum and the Iowa State University College of Engineering who design and lead the camp.  Each one day camp will include three, fun educational hand-on activities including LEGO robotics with challenges for various student experience levels with the students learning side by side with local engineering & STEM Professionals.  The camp includes the 3D big screen movie Mysteries of the Unseen World along with a camp t-shirt and lunch.  This year the camp will leverage the Putnam's new STEM Learning Center including the brand new, FabLab.

Schedule for Individual One Day Camps:

• Monday, July 21 - students going into grades 4-6th
• Tuesday, July 22 - students going into grades 4-6th
• Wednesday, July 23 - students going into grades 2-3rd (Sold Out - Wait List)
• Thursday, July 24 - students going into 4-8th grade (girls only)
• Friday, July 25 - students going into grades 7-8

Link for further information including registering students and volunteering.

Volunteers will have an opportunity to share their skills, talents, and passion and positively impact the life of local students.  Beyond personnel satisfaction, the experience can provide volunteers personal and professional development, as well as leadership-building opportunities.

Local Children Aged 9 to 14 Apply Research and Robotics To Explore Natural Disasters with FIRST ® LEGO® League "NATURE'S FURY?" Challenge

The non-profit Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) is proud to be the organizer for the 5th annual Quad Cities Tournament held at the Putnam Museum.  Since 2009 when the first QC Tournament was held with 13 teams, the program has continued to grow.  In 2013, as outlined below, there will be FLL/ Junior FLL Events held on 3 dates with a total of 109 teams, 700+ students supported by 130+ volunteers.

This is a fast-paced, high energy event that will be enjoyed by all ages and expose everyone to the exciting world of robots, engineering, computer program, creative problem solving and most importantly, TEAMWORK! 

The events are free and open to the public.  Further information is available at www.qcesc.org including pictures from past events.

The Schedule of Events for both days: (December 14^th and 15^th):

Background:

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $16 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

The LEGO Group is a privately-held firm based in Billund, Denmark. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through high-quality, creatively educational play materials, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough." For more information, visit  FIRST®, the FIRST® logo, FIRST® Robotics Competition, FRC®, FIRST® Tech Challenge, FTC®, and Gracious Professionalism® are registered trademarks of the United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST®). LEGO®  and MINDSTORMS® are registered trademarks of the LEGO Group. FIRST® LEGO® League, FLL®, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League, Jr.FLL®, NATURE'S FURY®, and DISASTER BLASTER® are jointly held trademarks of FIRST and the LEGO Group. ©2013 FIRST ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®

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