14th FLL Canarias Inspires Young STEM Talent in Tenerife

The 14th First Lego League (FLL) Canarias recently took place, highlighting the Canary Islands' commitment to getting young people interested in science and technology. The event, held last Saturday at the Guajara Lecture Hall in Tenerife, was a key gathering for encouraging innovation and robotics from a young age. It attracted 75 teams, 800 young participants, and a total of 2,500 attendees.

More than just a competition, the day was designed as a place for learning and community for students aged 5 to 16 from schools across the Canary Islands. Participants were split into categories: two teams in Discover (ages 5-6), 31 in Explore (ages 6-9), and 42 in Challenge (ages 10-16). The event was put together by the Cabildo de Tenerife, working with the Tenerife Science and Technology Park, the Ingeniera Soy association, and the University of La Laguna (ULL).

Four teams – Aldeatrón Robotix, La Jaca Robótica, Curiosity Rex, and Tech Titans – won in their categories. This means they will go on to the FLL Spain National Grand Final in Burgos on April 11. This year's challenge, called 'Unearthed,' had teams focus on archaeology. They had to find technological ways to explore the past. This involved presenting new ideas to judges and playing the "Robot Game," where teams built and programmed a Lego robot to complete various tasks.

Teachers, like Julia Lara, who coached teams such as Arqueobots and Arqueotech from CEIP Ramón y Cajal in La Orotava, noted how motivated the students were. They spent months preparing, even after school. Educators believe this experience helps spark an interest in technology and builds skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence outside of a traditional classroom setting. Students Alexis and Xerach, from the Challenge category, shared their excitement for innovation and programming.

The day ended with an awards ceremony. Dignitaries present included Rosa Dávila, President of the Cabildo; Juan José Martínez, Island Councilor for Innovation, Research and Development; Francisco García, Rector of the University of La Laguna; and Olga Martín, Managing Director of the Tenerife Science and Technology Park. President Dávila congratulated the young participants for "building their own opportunity and a new way to solve society's problems." Councilor Martínez added that the FLL "once again shows that Tenerife is a leader in young talent and technology."

ULL Rector Francisco García highlighted the importance of hosting the event. He said that today's participants would likely be "the young people who, in the not-too-distant future, will be studying at our University," calling them "the breeding ground for future professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."

The First Lego League is a global science and technology competition. It challenges young people around the world to solve real-world problems using robotics and teamwork. It's run in 110 countries and involves more than 679,000 students. In Tenerife, the Ingeniera Soy association, founded in 2016, is crucial for promoting tech education, working with the Cabildo and the ULL.