Need help getting started? There are a number of opportunities to attend a FIRST Lego League Challenge “Jump-Start” Training this year! It is a great way for rookie teams to get up to speed, but veteran teams are also welcome. Each Jump-Start is being individually hosted, so the particular agenda may vary, but they typically include breakout sessions where team members and coaches can learn about the robot, the challenge theme (for project prep) and core values. Attendance is free, but please register by the Wednesday prior to the Saturday event. If the registration number exceeds the capacity of a facility, registration for that event will be closed. At least one adult (team’s coach, mentor, interested parent, etc.) will need to attend with each team (group of 10 students) and be with the students in any of the breakout sessions. No students may be dropped off unaccompanied.
To make the most of this opportunity, it is recommended that you:
- Build your robot ahead of time. Instructions for a basic robot come with the Spike Prime set (or EV3 set, which is still allowed).
- Bring your team laptop with the software already loaded. Note that the software for Spike Prime is Scratch based and also works with the EV3. For the old EV3 edition, go to the “EV3 Lab Software”. You can download the free LEGO EDUCATION SPIKE Prime software HERE or the EV3 Lab Software (original EV3 edition) HERE.
2023 Locations and Dates
HAMMOND: Saturday, September 2nd, 8:45am – 1:30pm, (please register by Wednesday, August 30th) Hammond High Magnet, 45168 River Road, Hammond, LA 70401. YOU MUST REGISTER DIRECTLY WITH FIRST ROBOTICS TEAM Torbotics #2080. INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION LINK. This event will cater to both rookie and veteran teams (coaches and team members) with breakout sessions on programming, robot design and team development geared to the needs of each group. They are also putting together a panel of professionals in the areas of art to help spark potential project research ideas.
LAFAYETTE: Saturday, September 2nd, 9am-noon, (please register by Wednesday, August 30th): Location: Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy, 600 Savoy Rd, Youngsville, LA 70592. Topics: Building and Programming Strategies to maximize Points and assistance with creating Innovation Solution to a problem correlating to the 2023 Theme, all guided by the FIRST Core Values. Bring your robot! REGISTER BELOW . Hosted by FIRST Robotics Competition Team Phenomena #3616.
NEW ORLEANS: Saturday, September 9th, 8am-noon – doors open at 7:45am for check-in/registration (please register by Wednesday, September 6th): Location: Ben Franklin High School, 2001 Leon C Simon Dr, New Orleans, LA 70122 (on UNO campus). There will be breakout sessions where teams can learn about basic programming and robot game strategy, and participate in hands-on energy and team building activities. Also included will be a special 2 ½ hr session for coaches with Mr. Louis Jackson, FIRST Senior Mentor for Louisiana and prior FIRST LEGO League Challenge coach of a Championship team. It will include an introduction to coaching FIRST LEGO League Challenge, basics of robot programming, explanation of MASTERPIECE season project theme, resources available, and season timeline. If you are bringing team members and plan to attend the coaching session, please make sure there is another adult that can be present with the students in the team sessions. Snacks and lunch will be available for sale. A schedule and detailed information will be emailed closer to the event date. Hosted by FIRST Robotics Competition Team #4087 – Ben Franklin High School. Attendance is free, but you must REGISTER BELOW. Registration will be closed if event fills to capacity.
BATON ROUGE: Save the date – Saturday, September 16. Focus will be on the robot game, programming, and judging. Hosted by the Society of Peer Mentors and the LSU College of Engineering. YOU MUST REGISTER DIRECTLY WITH THE LSU SOCIETY OF PEER MENTORS. Registration link will be coming soon!
Questions regarding the Jump Starts may be addressed to Louisiana FIRST LEGO League Program Delivery Partners:
Dr. Annette Oertling and Dr. Michelle Sanchez
aoertling@firstpartners.org msanchez@firstpartners.org