Kids From Around the World Work to STEM the Tide of Trash with FIRST LEGO League
There’s more to trash than meets the eye. That’s what more than 233,000 kids from around the world learned when they got creative with ways to improve waste management. As part of the 2015-2016 TRASH TREKSM Challenge, FIRST LEGO League teams in 80 countries explored the fascinating world of trash—from collection and sorting, to smart production and reuse. FIRST LEGO League teams from 21 countries then submitted their inventions for the sixth annual FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton.
Teams with the award-winning inventions received their prizes June 22 at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia. The winning team received a cash award of $20,000 and the two runner-up teams each received $5,000.
The semi-finalist inventions were as diverse as the teams’ backgrounds, with projects ranging from a bacteria-fed Styrofoam digester, to water-soluble six-pack rings and insulation made out of shredded chip bags. Learn more about the teams and their inventions.
Booz Allen hosted a field trip to its Innovation Center in Washington, DC for the 175 semi-finalists from the United States, Canada, Spain, and Germany. The kids got a firsthand look at technology demonstrations that showed how the firm turns ideas into products and solutions. They also gained a deeper understanding of the STEM careers at Booz Allen. See photos here.
Starting in August, FIRST LEGO League participants will learn about our ANIMAL ALLIESSM and what might become possible when we learn to help each other.
To learn more about FIRST, visit: http://www.firstinspires.org/
To learn more about Booz Allen’s commitment to STEM, visit: http://www.boozallen.com/insights/better-our-world/our-commitment-to-stem
