Inspiration is Everywhere

Welcome to the Louisiana FIRST Tech Challenge Region

About FIRSt®

Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12). Our programs are suitable for schools or structured afterschool activities and receive support from a vast network of volunteers, educators, and sponsor/donors.

What is FTC?

FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) students (grades 7-12) learn to think like engineers. Teams design, build, and program robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams.

Competitions are held on the local, state and international level. FTC Louisiana is our local region for the international FTC program. The season consists of 4 qualifiers throughout the state and a state championship where two teams will advance to the World Championship in Houston. In addition to the competitions, teams build life skills by collaborating with each other, sharing FIRST and serving the community through outreach.

“This isn’t a robot, it’s a machine to build the people who will change the world”

More than robots

Because our programs are More Than Robots^®, FIRST participants are guided by a signature set of Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements. Our thrilling, sports-like challenges build their self-confidence and collaborative problem-solving skills and have a proven and lasting impact on STEM learning and interest. Our participants and alumni gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life.

Our community expresses the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism^® and Coopertition^® through the FIRST Core Values.

Game Challenge

With STEM as their tool and nature as inspiration, today’s boldest innovators are finding new ways to strengthen the connections that protect our shared home.

Building. Problem solving. Growing stronger through teamwork.

In BIOBUZZ™ presented by RTX, a new challenge releasing September 12, 2026, FIRST Tech Challenge teams will use engineering skills and amplify the excitement and energy found within the natural world. BIOBUZZ is part of the FIRST^® CANOPY™ season.