FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) 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.   The Bayou Regional presented by Entergy® is the FRC Competition of Louisiana and Mississippi. Held in the New Orleans metro area, the Bayou Regional welcomes teams from anywhere in the country and around the world to compete alongside our Louisiana and Mississippi teams. Held annually in the Spring, the Bayou Regional is organized and run by area volunteers, under the direction of its FIRST Robotics Regional Director and the FRC Bayou Regional Planning Committee. Learn More   FIRST LEGO League Tomorrow’s innovators practice imaginative thinking and teamwork. Guided by two or more adult Coaches, FIRST LEGO League* teams (up to 10 members, grades 4-8) research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS^®, then compete on a table-top playing field. Learn more. Learn more about FIRST Louisiana – Mississippi.     FIRST LEGO League Jr. It’s never too early to discover STEM. FIRST LEGO League Jr.* is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids ages 6 to 10 while exciting them through a brand they know and love − LEGO^®. Learn more about First LEGO League Jr.   FIRST Tech Challenge – Coming Soon! It’s way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams (10+ members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. Learn more