may 2025

BTT volunteered at 

by BTT

The American Robotics Invitational is an annual FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge postseason event that brings together high-performing teams from across the United States. The 2025 event, marking its fourth year, is scheduled for May 17–18, 2025, at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey. This invitational is organized by the American Robotics Open Championship Corp, a New Jersey-based nonprofit, and is supported by over 150 volunteers from the FIRST community, including members from FTC and FRC teams.

 The event offers a comprehensive championship experience, featuring full judging sessions, multiple robot performance runs, and opening and closing ceremonies. Participation is by invitation, with 52 teams nominated through Regional Championship Tournaments by their Program Delivery Partners. A limited number of waitlist spots may also be available for interested teams.

About the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) 

A global nonprofit founded in 1989 that inspires young people to pursue STEM careers through hands-on robotics programs. Its main programs—FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition—cater to students from ages 4 to 18, promoting skills in technology, teamwork, and leadership. FIRST reaches millions of students worldwide, empowering them with critical thinking and innovation skills through competitive and community-based learning.

BTT volunteered at the NJAS 70th annual meeting

by BTT

The 70th Annual Meeting of the New Jersey Academy of Science (NJAS) took place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Kean University’s STEM Building in Union, NJ. The event brought together students, researchers, educators, and professionals from across the state to explore the theme “Innovating Health: The Synergy of AI, Life Sciences, and Health Science.” BTT members, James Yang and Jerry Zeng, volunteered as high school ambassadors at this event.

• Keynote Presentations:

Allie Orellana, Senior Global Study Manager at Haleon US Inc., discussed the integration of artificial intelligence in clinical trial management.

Mark DeGuzman, Program Manager for the NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub at Rutgers University, spoke on translating research discoveries into real-world impact through innovation and entrepreneurship.

• Scientific Sessions

The meeting featured both Junior and Senior Academy sessions:

Junior Academy: High school students presented 10-minute poster sessions on topics such as environmental science, molecular biology, and engineering. Top presenters earned invitations to the 2026 American Junior Academy of Science national event.

Senior Academy: Undergraduate and graduate students delivered 10-minute oral presentations across disciplines including health/medicine, physics, and computational science. Selected abstracts will be published in the NJAS journal The Bulletin, and winners may serve as NJAS delegates at the 2026 American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting. 

• Professional Development

The event included seminars aimed at individuals pursuing careers in science and engineering, covering topics like STEM education, career development, and organizational successes. 

• Networking and Exhibits

Attendees had opportunities to connect with STEM professionals and explore exhibits from academic institutions and industry representatives, enhancing collaboration and knowledge exchange within New Jersey’s scientific community. 

Overall, the 70th NJAS Annual Meeting fostered a dynamic environment for scientific discourse, professional growth, and the celebration of research achievements across various scientific disciplines.

BTT members volunteered on 5/10/2025: James Yang (8 am to 3 pm, 7 hrs total) and Jerry Zeng (8 am to 3 pm, 7 hrs total).

About the New Jersey Academy of Science (NJAS)

Founded in 1954, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting science education, research, and collaboration within New Jersey. It hosts annual scientific meetings, publishes The Bulletin, and organizes educational programs to engage students and professionals in STEM fields. NJAS supports both junior (high school) and senior (undergraduate and graduate) academies, providing opportunities for research presentations and networking. The academy is affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and headquartered at Kean University. Its mission is to foster scientific innovation and community engagement across the state.