Gov. Charlie Baker and FIRST co-founder Woodie Flowers each visited the LigerBots at the FIRST Qualifying Competition held at Boston University’s Agganis Arena this weekend, where the team ranked 5th out of 40 teams (10-5-0 record) and reached the quarter-finals as the first pick of the third-seeded alliance.   The LigerBots also won the event’s Innovation in Control award, sponsored by Rockwell Automation to celebrate “an innovative control system or application of control components – electrical, mechanical, or software – to provide unique machine functions.”

The Governor spoke to the crowd about the importance of what FIRST offers, including experiential education and learning from failure.  He later visited the LigerBots pit and learned about the robot’s function and performance, as well as the LigerBots’ success in fundraising.

Mr. Flowers spoke with the team about the core FIRST values of “Gracious Professionalism” and “Coopertition,” which he instigated for FIRST, and he congratulated the LigerBots for outstanding efforts in these important areas.

The Christa McAuliffe Center will host a panel discussion, Space Exploration and Human Evolution, at 4:30PM on April 8 at Framingham State University’s McCarthy Forum.  An astronaut, a physicist, a writer, and an environmental advocate will discuss questions such as:  Is the solar system ours for the taking?  Does living in zero gravity affect the way we think?  What is the likely political evolution of a human settlement on Mars?  Can we avoid the mistakes made in the earlier periods of the exploration of the Earth?

In celebration of National Robotics Week, the Vecna Cares Charitable Trust will host its second-annual human and robot race — in Cambridge on Sunday, April 10 at the Vecna Technologies office (36 Cambridge Park Drive, near Alewife T Station).  The Kids’ Run will be at 9:45AM, followed by the (adult) Human 5K at 10AM and the 100-yard Robot Race at 11AM.  Humans may register online for themselves and/or their robots, and anyone may also donate online.  The Kids’ Run is free.  Fees for adults and robots are $30 per person before April 7 or $35 per person on race day (minus $5 per person for those on teams or minus $10 per person for those in school groups).  All participants are invited to the post-race party.  Net proceeds will go to the Vecna Cares Charitable Trust (video).  For more information, contact Seth Reddy at 617.674.8248 or robotrace5K@vecna.com.

The Cambridge Science Festival is the national leader in its field, with over 160 activities and events spanning 10 days, April 15-24.  You can filter this year’s online schedule of events by age (family/teens/adults) and type (activities, workshops, performances, talks, other), or date — and browse the list of exhibits, recurring programs and tours, and Museum of Science activities.  Register now for those events that require pre-registration or tickets.  The Science Carnival is free and takes place on Saturday, April 16, 12-4PM between Harvard Square and the Cambridge Public Library.  It’s too much to keep in your head.  Use the Guidebook mobile site or the Guidebook app for your mobile guide to events.

The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (60 Garden Street in Cambridge) will host its monthly Observatory Night on April 21 at 7:30PM on the topic of The Wild West of Star Formation.  The lecture is intended for high-school and older audiences but children are welcome.  Admission is free, no reservations are necessary, and seating is limited.  For more information, call 617-495-7461 or email  pubaffairs@cfa.harvard.edu.

And as part of the Cambridge Science Festival, the Center will host Cambridge Explores the Universe on April 23, Noon-4PM, at which space scientists of all ages can drop by to explore the universe through telescope tours, interactive multimedia exhibits, hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and the Scientist Cafe, where visitors can chat with local astronomers.

A free public forum on workforce development, education, and opportunity — Stoking a 21st Century S.T.E.A.M. Engine: Rocket Fuel for the Innovation Economy —  will be held Friday, April 22, 8AM-12:30PM at the Marriott Hotel, 50 Broadway, Kendall Square, Cambridge. It’s hosted by the Cambridge Community Foundation, Just-A-Start Corporation, Kendall Square Association, Metro North Regional Employment Board, and Skillworks.  Space is limited; register online.  For more information, contact Ashley Coates at 617-918-7558 or ashleycoates@justastart.org.