This weekend, Lego robots will be roaming around Montana State University in the "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" (FIRST) robotics competition. There are actually two competitions for teams from throughout Montana - the FIRST Tech Challenge for grades 7 - 12 will open at 9:40 a.m. Friday, January 17. The FIRST "Lego League" robot rounds for grades 4 - 8 will be Saturday, January 18, at Inspiration Hall in the Norm Asbjornson building. A showcase of "Lego League Junior" teams for Kindergarten - 4th grades will be Saturday at 12:30 p.m., also at Inspiration Hall.

The competition is helping get elementary students interested in engineering. Christine Foreman, associate dean for student success at MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, said, "We have teams from Eureka to Wyola, with dedicated coaches mentoring the students through this year's challenge." The school has been working with FIRST since 2007, and the Lego championship teams will be invited to the 2020 World Festival Championship April 15-18 in Houston, Texas.

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