More than 500 boys and girls ages 9-14 will build and race Lego robots in the second annual Finger Lakes FIRST LEGO League Tournament, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Palestra on the University's River Campus.

Each September, FIRST LEGO League announces the annual challenge to teams, which engages the children in authentic scientific research and hands-on robotic design.

This year children from our region and across the world have been given the "Nano Quest" challenge to learn about the new frontier of nanotechnology.

Using Lego bricks, children work alongside adult mentors to design, build and program robots to solve real-life world challenges. After eight intense weeks, the competition season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments.

This year's tournament will involve more than 50 teams, with more than 500 kids; more than double last year. The University of Rochester and the tournament's corporate sponsors are proud to make this educational opportunity available to so many young people within our community.

If you are interested in learning more about this event, serving as a volunteer or becoming a sponsor, please contact Charmel Trinidad, publicity coordinator, at 275-2354 or email ctrinida@mail.rochester.edu.