High-school robotics competition to hit Richmond

By Mary Beth Alford

RICHMOND, Va. – After just six weeks of planning and construction efforts, thousands of eager high-school students and engineers will launch their self-designed robots into metal-to-metal competition March 9-10 at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St.

Seventy high-school teams from 12 states, Puerto Rico and Brazil will compete in the NASA Langley/VCU School of Engineering FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Regional Robotics Competition. Richmond is one of 13 U.S. regional event sites, which will draw a total of 525 teams.

"We look forward to holding our largest robotics event yet at VCU; more than doubling since last year," said Robert Mattauch, Ph.D., dean of the VCU School of Engineering. "The competition gives the university a wonderful opportunity to generate interest in science and engineering among young people by providing them insight into the highly-rewarding and creative profession of engineering."

Working with corporate and university engineers, students had six weeks to design, build, program and test their robot for competition. Each team worked from identical supplies and software to build its remote- and computer-controlled robot.

Robots, built with function as well as aesthetics in mind, will compete in two-minute rounds, requiring teams to strategize and build capabilities into their designs. The competition promotes problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork.

Teams will work with three other robots to score as many points as possible by placing large and small balls into or on top of 7-foot cylindrical goals. They also can score by driving their robots into the "end zone." Teams may increase their score by finishing in less than two minutes or by balancing goals on a bridge in the center of the playing field.

The FIRST Robotics Competition was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, a New Hampshire inventor-engineer. In 2000, he received the National Medal of Technology, America’s highest honor for technological achievement.

"Through this competition, we to hope to inspire high-school students to become the next generation of engineers and scientists, while teaching them the importance of team work and dedication," said Jeff Seaton, engineer, team member and sponsor representative from NASA Langley.

Robot competition and award ceremonies, which are free and open to the public, will be held from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. March 9-10. For more information, contact Pattie Cook, at (804) 784-4898 or robotsfirst@aol.com. 

The First Robotics Competition national championship will be held in April at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla.