The Bayou Regional is the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) for the region of Louisiana and Mississippi, which combines excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.
The event kicks off this Thursday, April 3rd and concludes on the evening of the 5th with an awards ceremony.
Considered “the varsity sport for the mind,” the event will welcome teams of at least 25 students who will be challenged to raise funds, design a team brand, hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform various tasks.
“The opportunities that are given through participation in FIRST are not just opportunities to build a robot, join a team, and compete in what is most likely the biggest geek olympiad on the planet, these kids are also getting the opportunity to be good at something,” said Carolyn Arthurs, FRC Regional Director at Bayou Regional. “They don’t just build robots. They run their teams as a business. They create business plans, fundraising strategies, websites, marketing plans and materials, and logos. They come up with travel and lodging, create and complete task lists, reach deadlines, and communicate with each other on every detail throughout the season.”
Over 50 teams have qualified for the 2014 competition, including a number from the New Orleans area.
FIRST Bayou Regional is an annual event organized organized and run by area volunteers, under the direction of its FIRST Robotics Regional Director and the FRC Bayou Regional Planning Committee.
For more information, visit http://frcbayouregional.com.