Local youth robotics team to be recognized at the 2021 FIRST® Global Innovation Awards as FIRST® LEGO® League Innovation Project finalists

BEDFORD – FIRST® LEGO® League announced 20 finalist teams would advance to the 2021 FIRST® Global Innovation Awards powered by Star Wars: Force for Change.

The Robotillers, from Bedford, were selected from entries from around the world for their outstanding solution, which demonstrated innovation and the potential to add significant value to the world. The Robotillers have invented Limestoneopoly for the RePLAY℠ season.

Teams were challenged to design a creative new piece of technology or improve an existing one to solve people not being active enough. The team will join other finalists from FIRST® Tech Challenge and FIRST® Robotics Competition in a remote event to showcase their solution, participate in workshops, be judged by experts, and be mentored by industry leaders June 28 – 30.

On June 30 at 2:30 p.m. ET on the FIRSTtv Twitch channel, the Global Innovation Awards will culminate with awards show broadcast.

The winning team will be awarded experiential, one-of-a-kind prizes from sponsors, including mentorship with top industry experts. Additional awards will be given live to include runners-up, Innovation Impact Award, Implementation Award, and Create Award.

All teams will receive Star Wars: Force for Change commemorative items, designed exclusively and available only to participants of the 2021 FIRST Global Innovation Awards.

Teams participating in the FIRST Global Innovation Awards must consider possible barriers to implementation, document the evaluation of their invention, and validate their design with professionals working in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

FIRST® LEGO® League is an international program for 9 to 16-year-old children (ages vary by country) created in a partnership between FIRST® and the LEGO® Group in 1998 to get children excited about science and technology – and teach them valuable career and life skills.

Children work alongside adult coaches to design, build, and program autonomous robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS® and create an innovative solution to a real-world problem as part of their research project.

Innovators and inventors play a critical role in growing our economy and improving our quality of life. The FIRST® Global Innovation Awards powered by Star Wars: Force for Change are designed to encourage and assist teams with the further development of their original and important ideas for solving global issues.

Together, Lucasfilm, Disney, and FIRST are empowering the next generation of diverse creators, thinkers, and leaders – ensuring all young people have an opportunity to believe in possibilities, build new skills, and create a better future for themselves and the world. Students emerge as strong visionaries and divergent thinkers capable of applying innovative thinking to any problem. From improvements to the water cycle to innovative solutions to waste management, past FIRST® LEGO® League Innovation Project finalists have brought their inventions to market, received patents, and incorporated them as businesses.

The 2021 Global Innovation Awards powered by Star Wars: Force for Change are sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, Cheddar News, Collins Aerospace, John Deere, and LEGO Education and in collaboration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

About FIRST® 
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $80 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League for Grades 4-8; and FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. for Grades K-4. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.firstinspires.org.

About the LEGO GROUP

The LEGO Group is a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company is still owned by the Kirk Kristiansen family who founded it in 1932.

The LEGO Group is engaged in the development of children’s creativity through playing and learning. Based on the world-famous LEGO® brick, the company today provides toys, experiences, and teaching materials for children in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit www.LEGO.com.

FIRST®, the FIRST® logo, FIRST® Robotics Competition, and FIRST® Tech Challenge are trademarks of the United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST®). LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO Group. FIRST® LEGO® League and RePLAYSM are jointly held trademarks of FIRST and the LEGO Group. ©2021 FIRST. All rights reserved. 

About Star Wars: Force for Change

Star Wars: Force for Change aims to create transformation and change in the lives of kids by helping to bridge the STEM skills gap, utilizing the fun and intrigue of Star Wars storytelling to inspire innovation, help build confidence and ignite curiosity. In doing so, Star Wars: Force for Change hopes to embolden and motivate the next generation of heroes and innovators, while also empowering the Star Wars fan community to use their fandom for good.