Lego Robotics Captures Interest Of Students, Schools, Companies

BRANDON, FL -- When Riverview resident Desh Bagley watched her students' excitement as they opened their first Lego Mindstorms build-able, programmable robot kit 13 years ago, she had no idea she was introducing a phenomenon that would captivate and educate thousands of Florida students.

Bagley is the founder of Tech Playzone in Riverview, an after-school and summer camp for children interested in technology. It's also the birthplace of Florida's First Lego League team composed of students interested in competing with their Lego Mindstorms robots.

Influenced by Bagley, robotics programs have been added to the curriculum of schools, have become the focus of magnet programs and have spawned the formation of teams sponsored by libraries, churches, YMCAs and Scout troops.

Bagley now focuses much her time as the tournament director of the Florida Central West Coast Region of the Suncoast First Lego League, which now has more than 90 teams in 16 counties that compete in local, regional and national First Lego League robotics competitions.

Based at the Brandon campus of Hillsborough Community College, the league has attracted a number of corporate sponsors interested in promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs through the nonprofit Hillsborough Community College Foundation.

Among those companies is Frontier Communications, which recently hosted an informational meeting at HCC to introduce students to the First Lego League and give them the opportunity to build their own Lego robots.

“First Lego League teams help children develop problem-solving skills by researching and developing solutions for real-world problems,” said Alice Williams, communications specialist at Frontier Communications. “It all adds up to children having lots of fun while making new friends and developing valuable real-world skills. It’s perfect for parents wondering what to get their kids involved in during the summer.”

Williams noted that the United States currently ranks 44th in the world for the quality of its math and science education.

This impacts the country’s ability to compete economically in high-tech fields, she said.

“American children have made little progress in math or reading since 2015, with the exception of Florida,” Williams said. “There are many factors that come into play to explain this but one of them could be due to active participation in STEM programs like the First Lego League. This puts Florida at a huge advantage because in-demand jobs frequently require STEM education.”

Tampa parents can find more information about signing their children up for a First Lego League team here or email Bagley at dbagley5@hccfl.edu.

To view more photos of students who attended the informational meeting at HCC, click here.

Images via Frontier Communications