Building Louisiana Science and Technology (BLAST)

FIRST Lego League & FIRST Robotics

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) introduces elementary and middle school aged children (9-14 yrs. old) to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.  Students get to design, build, test and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology; apply real-world math and science concepts; research challenges facing today’s scientists; learn critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills; participate in tournaments and celebrations.  Over 19,000 teams in more than 50 countries are expected to compete in the 2012 FLL season!

FIRST Robotics is labeled "The varsity Sport for the Mind," and combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to "real-world engineering" as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.  Louisiana and Mississippi collaborate to offer the FIRST Robotics Bayou Regional held annually in March.

In Louisiana, these two programs are made possible through B.La.S.T. (Building Louisiana Science and Technology), a nonprofit organization created to bring FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to Louisiana. The mission of FIRST is “to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication and leadership.”

Tulane supports these programs by providing board members, tournament organizers, mentors and volunteers.

FIRST Lego League Volunteers

Can FIRST® LEGO® League teams improve the quality of life for seniors by helping them continue to be independent, engaged, and connected in their communities?  In the 2012 SENIOR SOLUTIONS^SM Challenge, over 200,000 children ages 9 to16* from more than 60 countries will explore the topic of aging and how it may affect a person’s ability to maintain his or her lifestyle – solving issues like getting around, keeping in touch, or staying fit. Teams will research obstacles and then suggest ways to improve the quality of life for the seniors affected. Teams will also build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® robot to solve a set of missions on an obstacle course. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL’s signature set of core values.

The 2012 Louisiana state tournament will be held at Holy Cross in New Orleans on Saturday, December 8^th. Volunteers are needed as referees, game announcers, timekeepers, photographers, team queuers, pit crew runners, registration desk workers, traffic directors, and Lego playing table monitors. Half-day and full-day slots are available, lunch is provided, and rides will be arranged for those who need transportation to and from Tulane. If you are interested in refereeing (some say the best job at the competition!), it is a full day commitment with mandatory training on Saturday, December 1^st, from 8:00am to 1pm here at Tulane. All other positions are OJT (on the job training!).

If you are interested in volunteering, please see brief job descriptions and sign up using the    FIRST Volunteer Information & Matching System (VIMS) »  , which you may scan and e-mail, fax, or drop off in the dean’s office at Tulane School of Science and Engineering.

FIRST Robotics Bayou Regional Volunteers

The 201 FIRST Robotics Bayou Regional is coming to New Orleans in March (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), and we would love to have your help as a volunteer! FIRST Robotics was designed to provide high-school students with hands-on learning opportunities in Engineering and Science. The competition challenges teams and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week time frame using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in a series of competitions at a high energy, varsity-style sporting event.

The 2012 Bayou Regional will be in the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner (15 minutes from downtown New Orleans), parking is free and food (plus a T-shirt) is provided!

Driving directions to the Pontchartrain Center»