In the small town of Pineville, LA, the Thompson family is redefining what it means to be a “tech family.” 

Parents, Lauren and Jacob Thompson, are self-identifying country people who keep a relatively low-tech household. While they don’t fit the stereotypical mold of engineers, Lauren and Jacob run a household of 10, and after a devastating house fire in 2024 left them displaced, a search for a new outlet for their eight children led them to the very unexpected journey through robotics competitions. 

What began as a way to keep their boys busy in a small backyard has blossomed into a full-family mission. Prior to beginning their robotics journey with their local program at Louisiana Christian University, Lauren and Jacob would have never considered themselves experts in anything related to technology. Today, Lauren and Jacob aren’t just spectators in the stands– they are now coaches for their kids’ VEX Robotics teams this season. 

A Bridge to a Bright Future

For the Thompson family, robotics is about much more than just gears and competition. It’s a training ground for the “real world.” In an era where the technological landscape is constantly shifting, Lauren and Jacob see firsthand how these programs are essential for preparing their children for a rapidly evolving workforce. 

“Robotics touches every industry now, especially agriculture,” Jacob explained, noting how drone surveyors and advanced machinery are changing the face of farming in rural areas. “This is where reality and technology meet.” 

Five of the Thompson family’s kids are on VEX Robotics teams and the impact on their confidence and real world skills shines through. One child who is more creative and artistic was able to pick up notebooking and transform her sometimes chaotic artistic energy into systematic organization. By mastering the notebook, she learned to chronicle a step-by-step process that others could follow. 

Jacob and Lauren also shared that they’ve observed resilience under pressure at competitions. Students get one shot to perform and they learn that if a robot fails or a strategy collapses, they must pivot and troubleshoot in real-time. Another key life skill they are building that will be transferable when they begin their professional careers is conflict resolution. At competitions, there is no “governing body” to jump in and solve every dispute. Students must negotiate with teammates and opposing teams to find common ground. 

Strengthening the Family Core 

Perhaps the most inspiring part of the Thompsons’ story is how robotics has woven itself into their family fabric. With five of their children currently competing in VEX Robotics IQ and V5 programs, the robotics season has become a unifying force.

We eat supper together every night,” said Lauren. “And now, everyone is excited for everyone else. Even the kids at home are texting to ask how the matches are going.” She recalled a moment when a play didn’t go as planned and instead of the usual reactions expected of sibling rivalries, two of her children on the same team were found offering each other positive feedback and words of encouragement. 

“To see them on the side talking, saying ‘It’s alright, we’ll get it next time,’ was so good,” Lauren shared. “They realized they were in this together.” 

Investing in the Next Generation

The Thompsons have gone “all in,” hosting practices at their home and finding resources to ensure the students have what they need to succeed.

Their advice to other parents? Don’t be intimidated by technology. “I didn’t know how to open a PDF before I joined,” Lauren laughed. “But there is no better way to learn something than to have to teach it,” Jacob added. “You see your children bloom, it’s not about me holding their hands; it’s about me watching them succeed.” 

As the Thompson family and their teams prepare for the Louisiana State Championship, they aren’t just looking at scores. They are looking at a group of young people who have grown into confident collaborators, ready to take on new challenges and lead the way as professionals in the workforce.