Bowling Green State University will host a FIRST LEGO League event Saturday on the second floor of the
Bowen-Thompson Student Union.
Guided by adult coaches, FIRST LEGO League teams research a real-world problem such as food safety,
recycling or energy and are challenged to develop a solution. They must also design, build and program a
robot using LEGO  MINDSTORMS technology, then compete on a tabletop playing field.
An opening ceremony parade starts at noon at the Lenhart Grand Ballroom in  the student center and the
competition goes on until 5 p.m.
This event, organized by the Sylvania STEM Center, Northwest Ohio’s regional gathering space for STEM
education and exploration, consists of 20 teams of students in grades four through eight. This year’s
challenge is Animal Allies and teams have been tasked to identify a problem when people and animals
interact and design a solution that makes the interaction better for animals, people or both.
This tournament is the second-level competition for 23 teams from Northwest Ohio. Each of these teams
earned their place in the tournament by securing top spots at regional tournaments. The top nine teams
will advance to the state championship in Dayton in February.
FIRST LEGO League allows kids to combine science, technology, engineering and math concepts with
imagination to solve a problem. During the process, they also develop critical thinking and
team-building skills. The BGSU College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering is supporting
the event by paying for the venue and volunteering.
To date, more than 255,000 kids have participated in 1,464 FIRST LEGO League events in 88 countries.
Guests with disabilities are requested to indicate if they need special services, assistance or
appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Accessibility Services,
[email protected], 419-372-8495 prior to the event.