On Saturday, December 1, thirty-eight FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League (FLL) teams participated in a practice tournament at Roosevelt Hall in Farmingdale State College. The event was sponsored by School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. The practice tournament allowed students to prepare for the upcoming FLL Qualifying Tournaments, which are scheduled to be held in late January or early February at a site to be determined, and the FLL Championship Tournament, which will take place March 3, 2013 at Longwood High School in Middle Island.

This year’s challenge is Senior Solutions, which focuses on solving problems that senior citizens face. Teams will partner with seniors, hold conversations with them about their struggles, and together, create solutions as to how these setbacks can be improved. Upon completion, teams will come together and share the discussed solutions to the senior teammates’ problems. This activity will connect young students and the elderly together to help ensure that a stronger bond within the community is created.

Awards were given out at the practice tournament for Robot Performance and Gracious Professionalism. Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, Team #7892, “Radical Robots,” from Bayport-Blue Point/Sayville won the Robot Performance Award with 253 points, followed by Team #7613, “Radical Robotix,” from Rocky Point, with 250 points. Team #3817, “Awesome AHApers,” from Dix Hills, received first place for Gracious Professionalism and Team #8943, “Tiger Bots” from Floral Park, came in second. (These awards will not apply towards the upcoming FLL tournaments.)

For more information about SBPLI, visit www.sbpli.org or call (631) 627-8400.