LASA Robotics believes that an important tenet of having knowledge is sharing it with as many people as you can. We wish to cultivate curiosity in the minds of young children regardless of nationality, gender, physical capabilities, or zipcode. Few elementary and grammar schools in Austin offer robotics enrichment at no cost and we strive to do our part to fill this gap.

Purple Haze hosts free SMART camps in the summers to give kids an introduction into the world of FIRST, and encourage them to continue their involvement in robotics by serving as friendly and informative role models in STEM.

LASA Robotics has lived out its FIRST mission in innovative ways, from mentoring an Albanian FLL team with an alumni correspondent, teaching remote workshops at the Cambodian Royal University of Phnom Penh, building and donating a robot for emergency responders, demoing robots at schools, libraries, and recreation centers, and hosting a demonstration at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference to showcase FIRST to more than 150 companies and educators from around the world.

LASA Robotics currently mentors rookie FLL teams in Austin and India, outfitting them with start-up kits and coaching them on the rules of the game and their robot designs. We are also dedicating hundreds of volunteer hours at the Central Texas FLL scrimmages and competitions and are excited to return to hosting an FLL qualifier serving 24 local teams from our new East Austin campus. FIRST in Texas reports that there are significantly fewer registered FLL teams in Central, East, and South Austin than in West and North Austin and Purple Haze has the unique talent, brains, and will to nurture these startups, with the assistance of sponsor funds.

“LASA Robotics has been invaluable to our community for their tireless support at events. They’re not the largest team in Austin, but they’ve mobilized the most adults and students to support and grow FIRST”

– Austin FTC and FLL Volunteer Coordinator

Our passion for teaching others about science and technology inspires us to find new ways to spark curiosity and make a direct impact on the Austin community. Our Fungineering Workshops at the Willie Mae Kirk branch of the Austin Public Library is one example of a mutually beneficial partnership that accomplishes this goal. If you are an educator or represent a community group and would like to discuss ways our team members can share their love of robots with other curious minds, please contact us to brainstorm a partnership that will meet your community’s needs