Cornwall FIRST Lego League

Local Businesses: Helping Young People in Cornwall Explore STEM

FIRST LEGO League Challenge is part of a global program. It helps young people learn about science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). They learn by building robots and solving problems as a team.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) leads the program in the UK. The Education Business Partnership (EBP) support IET and run the program in Cornwall.

Each year, the regional finals take place at RNAS Culdrose. EBP works with Royal Navy staff, STEM Ambassadors, and local volunteers to run the event. Schools bring their robots and projects to compete in this busy exciting experience. At the end of each day judges score their work to find the winners.

EBP is reaching out to local businesses to ask for your help. You can support the program through sponsorship or volunteering.

Why Sponsorship Matters

By supporting this event, you’re investing in the next generation of engineers, coders, and creators. Sponsorship helps with costs, event delivery and gives business brand visibility.

Sponsorship has three main purposes:

• Support teams with the cost of robotics equipment and registration fees.
• Assist with travel costs and through season support to help teams in need.
• Contribute to regional finals event to create a celebration of STEM.

Why Volunteering Matters

Voluntary support is also a key element:

• Staff can support teams through the season with expert advice and encouragement.
• Staff can act as referees or judges at the regional final (full training provided).
• Staff can host a STEM activity at the regional final.

The regional final is a great way to volunteer and make a difference. As a non-profit, all money goes straight to helping young people. It gives them skills and confidence for the future.

Huge thanks to Watson Marlow for their support last season!

Many thanks to Watson Marlow, who have sponsored FIRST LEGO League for several years. Last season, they helped two new school teams. Mylor Bridge Community Primary School and Halwin School. They covered the cost of equipment and registration costs.

“It's a fantastic event for pupils to be part of. It encourages teamwork, problem solving and creativity in a really exciting and engaging way. As a teacher, it is great to see pupils shine in ways you aren't always able to see in the classroom. I am the new head of our school and, having participated at my last school, I was incredibly keen to get the children here involved. I am passionate about providing children with opportunities beyond the classroom and this is one of the very best examples of this.

The impact of the team element of this has a really positive impact going beyond the scope of the competition itself. Pupils dealing with the real-life frustrations and working out how to manage them is also incredibly valuable. We had a robot sponsored by Watson Marlow, without this we would not have been able to participate.” - Headteacher Mylor Bridge Community Primary School

“Important to give children in a small school experiences and STEM opportunities. Ongoing impact will be confidence, teamwork, having fun. Loved everything about the day. Best part – watching the children’s faces when they were getting a trophy. We liked all the practical activities that children could join in with.” - Headteacher at Halwin School

Watson Marlow also sent two engineers to the regional finals. They acted as judges for the innovation project. This showed pupils that their ideas matter and that STEM role models are there to support them.

Huge thanks to Soroptimist International St Austell and District club for their support last season!

Soroptimist International St Austell & District club help girls take part in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge in Cornwall. They give money to all-girl teams in their area so schools and groups can join.

Last season, SUBMERGED, Soroptimist International St Austell & District club supported six teams. One of these teams, the BB LEGO League Girls from Bishop Bronescombe School, reached the national final.

Soroptimist International St Austell & District club members also helped at the regional final. They acted as judges for the Innovation Project and supported the event.

This year, Soroptimist International St Austell & District club is helping four teams:

• Sandy Hill Academy

• Bishop Bronescombe School

• Charlestown Primary School

• Tywardreath School

Their support gives girls the chance to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in a fun and creative way.

Want to get involved?
Contact Cornwall EBP to learn more and support this exciting program. ebp@cornwall.gov.uk