500 students expected at Lego competition

More than 500 students and the 54 robots they've collectively assembled will be competing for top honors at the First Lego League Regional Qualifier Tournament on Saturday at Prairie Point Middle School.

The event, which is free and - for the first time - open to the public, runs from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the school, 801 Kirkwood Blvd. SW. Teams of up to 10 elementary and middle-school students compete in a sportslike atmosphere.

This year's themed competition on transportation is called “Smart Move.” Teams create Lego robots that can gain access to places and things, while avoiding or surviving impacts.

Winners advance to the state tournament Jan. 16 at Iowa State University where they compete with winning teams from six other qualifying tournaments.

The annual event encourages students to explore science, technology, engineering and math concepts.

This is the eighth year Rockwell Collins has sponsored the tournament, which began with four teams and has increased to 54.

The company also provides funding to 160 Lego teams and sponsors all the tourna ments.