Montana State to host 20th anniversary of FIRST Lego competition

BOZEMAN - For 20 years now, Montana State University has been encouraging students from across the state to snap together Legos. But this is no child's play; it's an annual exercise in STEM - science, technology, engineering and math - that challenges the students to engineer and build robots using the colorful plastic blocks through the FIRST Lego League program. This year students will explore an archaeology-inspired robotics challenge.

"These programs have a proven impact on inspiring young people to pursue STEM," said Loribeth Evertz, associate teaching professor of mechanical and industrial engineering in MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. "MSU and the engineering college actively support these events, recognizing that many participants eventually become MSU students. When young participants interact with MSU students and alumni, they see firsthand what a future in engineering or science can look like."

Evertz said 81% of FIRST alumni go on to study or work in STEM fields.

Upcoming qualifying events will be held in Billings, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula with the statewide finals set for Feb. 6-7 on MSU's campus in Bozeman. The competition is divided into two grade-based flights: The FIRST Lego League is comprised of students in kindergarten through eighth grade, and the FIRST Tech Challenge is for students in grades seven through 12.

The FIRST Tech Challenge finals will take place Feb. 6 in Shroyer Gym, while the FIRST Lego League finals will be held Feb. 7 in Inspiration Hall, located on the second floor of Norm Asbjornson Hall. Both events are free and open to the public and will be live-streamed on YouTube. Rob Maher, professor of electrical and computer engineering, serves as the judge adviser and Haley Ketteler, doctoral student in mechanical engineering, and Caleb Thompson, mechanical and industrial engineering alumnus, will serve as co-head referees. The top three FIRST Lego League teams will choose one of the following three events to advance to and compete with teams internationally: World Festival in Houston April 29-May 2, 2026; Canada Cup of Robotics Niagara in Ontario June 17-20, 2026; or WPI Annual FIRST Lego League Open Invitational Event in Massachusetts June 12-14, 2026.

This year's sponsors include the Gianforte Family Foundation, the Montana Learning Center, the Montana Robotics Alliance, MSU's President's Office and the Provost's Office, and the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering.

Volunteers are always needed. For more information, email [email protected].