The FIRST Bayou Regional Robotics Competition was held March 17th, 18th, and 19th, 2011 at the Alario Center in Westwego. This year 38 teams from nine different states competed in the tournament.

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 theme for this year’s game was “Logo Motion”. Teams competed by building and maneuvering robots to hang as many inflated plastic shapes (triangles, circles and squares) on grids during a 2-minute-and-15-second match. The higher the teams hung their game pieces on their scoring grid, the more points their alliance received.

Once again, API-Delta participated in sponsoring the event and allocated a $1500 scholarship toward a student participating in the event and pursuing a degree pertaining to the petroleum industry.

As always, the competition was extremely exciting. The quality and dedication of these high school students is truly amazing! This is a wonderful, enlightening event for all ages. For more information: Louisiana FIRST LEGO League and FRC Bayou Regional website.

Questions regarding outreach in the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering may be addressed to Annette Oertling, Ph.D. at Annette.oertling@tulane.edu.