2023 FIRST Robotics Programs – BPX Grant Application

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Thank you for your interest in starting a
FIRST LEGO League Explore (Grades 2-4),
FIRST LEGO League Challenge (Grades 4-8), or
FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team (grades 7-12)!

Please see the Grant Requirements and the Timeline below. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Annette Oertling ,
FIRST Program Delivery co-Partner for Louisiana FIRST LEGO League.

BPX Grant Requirements:

  • Team must be hosted by a public school in Bossier Parish.
  • There must be 2 adult coaches (mentors) for each team to comply with FIRST Youth Protection Protocols.
  • 1 coach per team is expected to attend the online live FIRST Professional Development workshop(s) (14hr total) in September/October time frame.
  • Finances will be managed by FIRST Louisiana-Mississippi, Inc. (FIRST LA-MS), the non-profit organization managing FIRST programs in Louisiana. Purchase of equipment and team registration must be handled by FIRST LA-MS. Receipts are needed for reimbursement of other expenses paid directly by teams.
  • A follow up report will be requested, which will include team progress and team demographics.

FIRST LEGO League Explore Teams are invited to participate in a “Festival” (spring time frame) and FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams are invited to participate in a tournament (December), both hosted by SciPort, though it is not a grant requirement in the first year. FIRST Tech Challenge teams have multiple opportunities to participate in Qualifying Tournaments, with potential advancement to the State Championship.

2023-24 Timeline

  • August/September – team registration and equipment/material ordering (robot, engineering notebooks, team meeting guide, etc.). Once school starts, team members should be identified as soon as possible.
  • September/October – online live FIRST Professional Development workshop(s) (14hr total)
  • December/January – FIRST LEGO League Challenge Qualifying Tournament and State Championship (to which 60 teams advance)
  • December through March – FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifying Tournaments and State Championship
  • March/April – tentative date for Explore Festival at SciPort
  • April – brief follow up report requested.