Two Richmond teenagers have just returned from California after competing with some of the best Lego robotics fanatics in the continent.
Matthew Wong and Naichen Zhao, both 13, and Vancouver’s Jack Chen Ji, 12, formed the three-man team that travelled to Legoland in Carlsbad recently to compete in the North American Open of the FIRST Lego League (FLL).
The boys were representing B.C. – after placing first in the provincial regionals in February in Victoria – and were up against 72 teams from throughout North America and around the globe.
“They didn’t do as well as anticipated, they finished 20th out of 72,” said Matthew’s dad, Marc, who lives near No. 2 and Williams roads.
“But it was a good experience as it allowed them to interact with people from across the continent, Asia, Europe and South America.”
Not only was there prestige and trophies to be won, but also as much as $14 million in scholarship funds being awarded. And the top teams were also invited to the World Championships later this year in Hungary.
During the competition itself, the robots - which are all made of Lego and are computer-programmed - have to perform a set of tasks in a two and half minute period while competing against another team’s robot.
The robot has to pick up certain figures, push them around the area or place them in a bin, for example.
Wong said his son, who attends Richmond Christian Middle School along with Nachien, has been playing with Lego since he was three-years-old but only took up Lego robotics a year ago after being invited to take part by Nachien.
According to its website, the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League is more than using pieces of Lego to build robots and is more about imaginative thinking and teamwork.
Worldwide, across 80 countries there are 233,000 participants, 29,000 teams and 1,350 robots involved in the league.
