***** MEDIA ADVISORY: PLEASE COVER *******

PHOTO OP FOR QUEENS F.I.R.S.T. LEGO TOURNAMENT

WHO: TWENTY FOUR TEAMS FROM QUEENS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL

WHAT: QUEENS FIRST LEGO QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT

WHEN: SATURDAY, DEC. 15TH, 2007 – 9:00AM OPENING CEREMONY, 2:00PM CLOSING/AWARDS CEREMONY

WHERE: AIRCRAFT HANGAR AT AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL – 35TH STREET BETWEEN QUEENS BLVD. AND 47TH AVE

THE QUEENS FLL QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT: FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an exciting and fun global robotics program that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in kids ages 9 to 14. Our sponsors include American Express, Con Edison, David L. Klein, Jr. Foundation, Verizon, Independence Community Foundation, Aviation High School, the Quantum Samurai and the Aviation Education Corporation.
Each year FLL teams embark on an adventurous challenge based on current, real-world issues. Guided by a team coach and assisted by mentors, the kids:

• Research and solve a real-world problem based on the Challenge theme
• Present their research and solutions
• Build an autonomous robot using engineering concepts
• Experiment and overcome obstacles
• Build self-esteem and confidence
• Actively participate in science and technology

Everything is educational --- AND fun!!!

BACKGROUND: No matter what the child’s subject interest, FLL offers an opportunity for engagement. This year’s theme is energy conservation. Students confront issues such as how do personal energy choices to heat our homes, fuel our cars or even charge our cell phones impact the environment, economy, and life around the globe? Which resources should we use and why? Explore how energy production and consumption choices affect the planet and our quality of life today, tomorrow & for future generations.

For more information about the event, contact Michael Koumoullos at Aviation High School, 917-208-5629 or mike@koumoullos.com. For additional information go to www.nycnjfirst.org.

MEDIA ADVISORY - Aviation HS to host FIRST LEGO League Robotics

MEDIA ADVISORY: Aviation HS to host FIRST LEGO League Robotics Qualifier

Contact
Michael Koumoullos mike@koumoullos.com (917) 208-5629

PHOTO EDITORS: THE KIDS AND ROBOTS ARE MARVELOUSLY VISUAL

Aviation HS in Long Island City, to host junior FIRST LEGO League Queens qualifying tournament for 9-14-year-olds

25 teams of scientists, plus 75 volunteers to converge on Aviation HS for day of competition

This year’s theme encourages practical solutions for responsible energy use

Long Island City, NY –
Aviation High School will host the New York City FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Queens Qualifying Tournament for 9 to 14-year-olds this Saturday, December 15, 2007. FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

The event will take place in the cafeteria and the unique aircraft hangar at the school.

Date: Saturday, December 15, 2007

Time: 8:30am - 3:00pm

Location: Aviation High School
45-30 36th Street (between Queens Blvd and 47th Ave.)
Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 361-2032

Directions: 7 train to 33 St.


Supported by the New York City FIRST LEGO League chapter, 25 teams of 9 to 14 year olds will come together for a day of competition. Qualifying teams will go one to compete in the FLL tournament at Riverbank State Park in Manhattan in on January 26. The winner of that competition will compete internationally in Atlanta in April.

The schedule for Saturday's qualifying tournament is as follows:

8:00 – 8:45 Registration

8:30 – 9:00 Judging (Judging continues after the opening ceremony and ends at the start of lunch)

9:00 – 9:15 Opening Ceremony

9:30 – 10:20 Round 1

10:20 – 10:30 Break

10:30 – 11:10 Round 2

11:10 – 11:30 Round 3

11:30 – 12:15 Lunch

12:15 – 12:40 Round 4

12:40 – 12:50 Break

12:50 – 1:40 Round 5

1:40 – 2:00 Break

2:00 – 2:40 Awards/ Closing Ceremony

2:40 – 3:30 Clean Up (We ask all teams to help stack the chairs and clean the pits.)

Google Group: fllqueens. Go to http://groups.google.com and search for fllqueens.


Unique to this event is the partnership between Pace University and Stuyvesant High School – and the fact that on the Pace NYC campus there will be students from all levels of schooling from first grade through graduate school working together to promote science and technology.

The FLL theme for this year is Power Puzzle, which is about understanding the elements of energy use in a world where people use more energy every day. The Power Puzzle missions get FLL teams to consider the energy choices available and how those choices affect the world. The teams are challenged to find practical solutions in their communities while considering the impacts their actions or inactions can have on their lives and the world. As they work to make the puzzle pieces fit, they must consider all parts of energy use, including how energy is made, stored, used and consumed, and how resulting waste is disposed of.

The FIRST organization was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to get children interested in and excited by technology. The FLL robotic competitions have become internationally recognized. A partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company resulted in the formation of FIRST LEGO League (FLL) in 1998.

The pilot year had 200 teams participating. This year, nine years after the initial tournament, there are over 8000 teams internationally.

Directions: 7 train to 33 St.
Rawson St. Parking is available under the 7 train on Queens Blvd. It costs $4 for the day. You must pay with quarters so bring at least 16.