Hundreds of North East school children will get to grips with STEM learning using Lego and robotics thanks to an industry partnership.
Software giant Sage has teamed up with trade body the Institution of Engineering and Technology to bring the First Lego League to the North East. The four-day event will involve 53 schools and 85 teams and encourages children to experiment, develop their critical thinking and pick up coding and design skills through the initiative that will also involve 80 Sage Foundation volunteers.
This year is the eighth that Sage has partnered with the League, but this instalment is said to be the biggest the region has seen to date, with 600 children participating and more than 138,000 Lego bricks in play. The guided robotics programme aims to expose children aged four-16 to science, technology, engineering, and maths skills.
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Sage has been working with the Institution of Engineering and Technology since 2017 to grow the First Lego League across the 海角视频 and Ireland. Together with support from Education North Tyneside, part of North Tyneside Council and Northumberland ICT, it has reached 500,000 young people including 14,000 in the North East.
Cadence Willis, VP Sage Foundation, said: “This event is focussed on removing stereotypes and supporting inclusivity in STEM learning. We have a critical role to inspire and empower the brilliant young people within our region to make sure there are open doors, not glass ceilings, when it comes to regional STEM learning.
"This is where our programme with First Lego League and the IET comes into its own as it helps to nurture creativity and problem solving in young minds in an exciting real-world way. The children also work as part of a team, which helps to foster a sense of belonging and support. Schools come back year-on-year to take part and it really is infectious.”
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Hannah Rees, senior education manager at the IET, said: "First Lego League allows young people to experience engineering in action. It gives students the opportunity to get hands-on experience with robotics and design innovative solutions to real world problems, all whilst bringing excitement to STEM subjects. Programming, teamwork, problem-solving and communications skills have never been so much fun and gives students an insight into the creative careers that the wonderful world of engineering offers.
"There is a great need for young people with STEM skills to fill the next generation of engineering roles as the 海角视频 faces a nationwide skills shortage. The competition empowers young people to think about a possible career in engineering and technology and we are excited to see such bright young engineering minds in First Lego League.”