Currently seeking coordinator and coaches for CSSE. Contact Kim Hattaway to volunteer.  (Registration closes in Oct)

Depending on volunteers, St. Eugene's hosts two programs developed by FIRST (www.firstinspires.org) that introduce Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in grades as early as Kindergarten. 

We can have two programs based on grade level.

FIRST Lego League Jr. is a program for Kindergarten through 4th Grade. Teams are comprised of two coaches and up to 6 team members. It introduces kids to concepts such as simple machines (gears and pulleys) and some basic programing. We also utilize the Lego WeDo programmable robotics kit to introduce basic programming.

The program is built around an annual challenge that changes each year. They students are presented a problem with a theme. They must research that problem and share what they learned with the rest of their team. They will then work together to come up with a solution and build a Lego model. The model must include moving parts. They must also build a science fair type presentation board to explain their problem, the research they did, and their solution. They will then present their solution at an Expo and compete against other teams.

Not only are they kids learning about robots and gears, they are learning how to research and present ideas while following the FIRST LEGO League Jr Core Values of respect, sharing, and critical thinking.

FIRST Lego League Challenge is for 4th to 8th grade. Teams are made up of two coaches and up to 10 team members. 

Like, the Jr League, teams are presented with a problem and challenged to develop a solution. They must also design, build and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS and complete on a table top playing field. At competition, they must hone their presentation skills and present their solution to the problem and talk about their robot.