The Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference is set to host its annual FIRST Lego League gathering for young robotics teams from across the region. Scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, the event will take place at the Sanford Center ballroom in Bemidji, bringing together students in grades 4 through 8 who have spent months preparing and programming their Lego-based robots.
This year marks the third edition of the conference’s FIRST Lego League event, and it continues to grow in participation and excitement. Twenty teams from several communities in northern Minnesota are expected to compete. Some of these include students from Gene Dillon Elementary, Cass Lake-Bena, Red Lake, Northome, Babbitt, Nevis, Upsala, New York Mills, and Grand Rapids. Each team has designed and built a robot using Lego components and sensors, and they will now have the chance to see how their creations perform in real challenges.
For many of the participating students, this event is the first major competition of the season. It offers them a chance not only to test their robots but also to meet and learn from other young innovators. The competition encourages teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving—core skills in the world of robotics. According to organizers, the event is an opportunity for students to observe how well their robots execute tasks, navigate obstacle courses, and respond to programmed commands. It also allows teams to understand what adjustments they need to make as they prepare for future tournaments.
In addition to being a fun and educational experience, the event also serves an important role in the larger robotics competition circuit. It is an official qualifier for the Minnesota State Tournament, which is scheduled for February. Teams that perform well in Bemidji will advance to the state-level event, where they will face even stronger competitors. From there, the best teams will have a chance to move on to the highly prestigious FIRST World Championship, held each April in Houston, Texas. For many young participants, this path represents an inspiring journey that pushes them to improve their skills and collaborate more effectively.
The organizers are inviting the public to attend and enjoy the event. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is designed to be welcoming for families, teachers, and community members who want to show support or simply learn more about youth robotics. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m., and the competition will continue throughout the day. A scheduled lunch break will take place from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m., after which teams will return for the final rounds of competition. The last matches are expected to wrap up at around 5:30 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase for visitors who plan to stay and watch the full day of activities.
The event highlights the growing interest in robotics among young students in Minnesota. It reflects a broader movement toward introducing children to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in exciting and hands-on ways. FIRST Lego League, in particular, has become a popular starting point for younger students who want to explore these fields. It provides an accessible and enjoyable way for kids to learn coding, mechanical design, and teamwork while creating something they can see in action.
Parents, mentors, and teachers who attend the event often say that the most rewarding part is watching students light up when they see their robots complete a task successfully or when they discover a clever solution to a problem. These experiences help build confidence and spark long-term interest in engineering and innovation. The Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference hopes that events like this will continue to encourage young people to pursue STEM careers and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
