A new star is in town!

The Livingston Robotics Club (LRC) and Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD) have announced the kickoff of a pilot collaboration program for the “Shining Star” Robotics League for students with special needs.

LRC’s FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team Landrias #4282, comprised of four rising eighth-grade girls, is available to mentor one or two teams for students with special needs in the Fall of 2011, for two to four hours per week. Landrias is the sister team of the Landroids, which the two teams share the same coaches.

After three years of competing in the FLL, and successfully winning multiple regional Champion’s awards and Robot Design awards at the State level, the all-girls team Landrias has decided to change its mission from one of competition to mentoring.

The pilot program is limited to 12 children, ages nine to 14. Depending on the number of applications, the children will be divided into two teams, based on their ages for the upcoming 2011 FIRST LEGO League season (from September to December).  The program is accepting children to join on a first-come-first-serve basis (apply by July).  There is also an application and interview process by LACD that will take into account the commitment level of the parents of the children to assist in the team coaching and team activities.

The dedication on the part of the families is critical. For those parents who volunteer to be one of the two coaches (per team), their children would be guaranteed a spot on the team.  Each child also must be accompanied and assisted by a parent or caregiver at all times. The time commitment is between two to four hours per week, from first week of September to mid-December.

The “Shining Star” Robotics League follows the success of the “Shining Star” Sports League: A League for Exceptional Children, a program for children with special needs run by the Township of Livingston’s Senior, Youth and Leisure Services (SYLS).   The creators of the “Shining Star” brand, are delighted to be sharing the concept with the LRC and LACD, in an effort to better serve the children in the community with special needs.

The LACD is very experienced in serving the community of special needs in Livingston. The mission of the LACD is to improve the lives of citizens with disabilities and their families. LACD Co-Chairman Bob Gebroe is thrilled to be collaborating with the LRC in this new and exciting way.

“We are breaking new ground by teaming up with the LRC,” says Gebroe. “We are so pleased to be serving our children with special needs, along with the young women of team Landrias, in such an inspired and innovative manner.”

If your child is interested in being involved in the pilot program of the LRC “Shining Stars” league, please contact Maureen Chase at ShiningStarRoboticsLeague@gmail.com by July 30.