On January 30, Acadia University hosted 39 teams from across Nova Scotia in the fifth annual Robot Programming Competitions.  Challenged to display their creativity in teamwork, research and robot design, the 18 high school and 21 middle school teams (about 280 students and coaches)  brought their talent and enthusiasm. A group of over 80 volunteers made up of faculty, staff, students and community worked together to provide support for the competition.

Two competitions are held on one day.  While both feature the LEGO Mindstorms robot, the high school robot programming required is more complicated, challenging students to program to anticipate the unrevealed specific maze or problem they will need to solve.  The Middle School robot performance problem is designed by FIRST and is part of a world-wide group called FIRST LEGO League (FLL)  that involves 150,000 students in over 50 countries.

Of the 116 students who completed feedback surveys, 83% agreed or strongly agreed that they feel more interested now in science and engineering.  One student commented "The whole thing is awesome!"  The competitions are made possible through partnership with Nova Scotia Community College and contributions from major sponsors such as Michelin, the Provincial government, Research in Motion and Eastlink.  The winning Middle School team is now fund raising so they can participate in the FLL World festival in Atlanta in April.