Six local councils receive robotics grants to help engage young people

Six councils from Far North Queensland to the Gold Coast have been awarded FIRST LEGO League robotics grants to deliver programs for children aged nine to 16.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch today (Saturday) announced Douglas Shire Council, Logan City Council, City of Gold Coast, North Burnett Regional Council, Toowoomba Regional Council and Western Downs Regional Council will receive the grants.

Ms Enoch said the FIRST LEGO League robotics grants — offered jointly by the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) and FIRST Australia to public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across the state — will help local communities engage children with emerging technologies.

“These grants will provide young people in the regions with the opportunity to get hands-on learning how to code a robot, and will open their eyes to the possibilities that technology will allow us in the future,” Ms Enoch said.

“This is another initiative to demonstrate our commitment to breaking the digital divide and ensuring people across Queensland are not left behind.

“These grants will support public libraries to build capability in the evolving field of coding and robotics, and will inspire the imaginations of tomorrow’s leaders in science and technology.”

State Librarian and CEO Vicki McDonald said libraries are creative and stimulating spaces, and have an important role to play in building digital literacy skills.

“Learning to use a LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robot will help young people develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, encouraging them to find creative solutions through a fun, practical, learn-by-doing approach,” Ms McDonald said.

“Libraries are about so much more than books, and the State Library endeavours to support lifelong learning and enterprise by exposing all Queenslanders to new knowledge and information.”

FIRST Australia Grant Coordinator Alec Cox said the organisation is committed to inspiring young people to become leaders in science and technology.

"FIRST Australia is pleased to be involved with the State Library of Queensland in rolling out the world’s largest robotics competition to libraries across Queensland,” Mr Cox said.

“To date 30 Queensland libraries have received grants to promote FIRST LEGO League teams.”

Logan Mayor Luke Smith said the FIRST LEGO League robotics grant will be a great opportunity to provide more advanced coding and robotics events for children and adults aged 10 and older.

“Our libraries currently provide a wide range of free technology, robotics, electronics and coding workshops for all ages and abilities, but this will help build awareness and familiarity throughout the city with the LEGO League robotics platform,” Mayor Smith said.

“Currently, not many schools in Logan are enrolled in LEGO League competitions.

“This grant will help Logan City Council Libraries develop the necessary skills in our local community, with the aim that further down the track our libraries can partner with local schools to take part in LEGO League competitions and coding showcases.”

Each council will receive:

• a LEGO Mindstorms kit (an EV3 robot, a challenge mat and assorted LEGO)
• free registration for a team at the Queensland round of the FIRST LEGO League international robotics tournament in November 2017
• entry to a day of training facilitated by FIRST Australia,
• $2000 funding from SLQ to support staffing and resourcing of six weekly workshops and a community event to follow the workshops.

This is the second round of grants offered under this program, with another 19 councils receiving funding in May last year.

For more information about FIRST LEGO League robotics visit https://firstaustralia.org/programs/first-lego-league/

For information about local First LEGO League workshops or other coding and robotics workshops visit your local library online or in person.

ENDS

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