Children also learn through play

Children learn through play and most games in childhood don’t just entertain, they inform and enlighten, says Acting President of NIHERST Sylvia Lalla.

“Games and toys teach children the most basis concepts, such as colour, texture, co-ordination, self-expression and creativity. When children play in groups, they also learn team work, co-operation, tolerance, and communication. I also want to say how grateful I am that they have agreed to partner with NIHERST in bringing this exciting and important programme to TT.”

Lalla was speaking Tuesday at the launch of 2017/2018 First Lego League Competition at Shell Hospitality Suite, Queen’s Park Oval, Tragarete Road. TT will be the first in the English speaking Caribbean to have such a programme, which is aimed at engaging children between the ages nine to 16 in playful and meaningful learning, while helping them discover the fun in Science, Mathematics and Technology.

Lalla said one aspect of the LEGO brand, LEGO Mindstorms, and the supporting LEGO Competition, has already proven its worth in opening thousands of young hearts and minds around the globe to the wonders of science.

Asset Manager, East Coast Marine Area at Shell TT Colin Bain said Shell TT being the Social Investment partner, they were extremely delighted to continue the collaboration with NIHERST and the Ministry of Education.

He said their sponsorship of the First Lego League is an extension of Shell’s relationship with both organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen the critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving skills of students, from primary to tertiary educational levels.

Bain said the nation requires individuals who can utilise the revenues and significant opportunities generated by the energy sector to maintain and grow the sector.

Working in teams of up to 10 children, and guided by at least two adult coaches, participants in the competition have approximately 10 weeks to build an autonomous robot that will, in two minutes and 30 seconds, complete pre-designed missions, analyse, research, and invent a solution for a given assignment, and present it.

Participants will program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS, and then compete on a table-top playing field, present the core values of how the team worked in the 10 weeks journey. The final winning team will be flown to Houston, Texas for the World Festival in April 2018.