Numerous budding engineers, passionate about robotics would participate in the Virginia Regional FIRST Robotics competition in Richmond from April 8 to 9.
The high school students aged 14-18 have been working in teams along with their teachers and mentors for developing and programming a robot, which would take part in the competition. A total of 15 teams from Hampton Roads would be competing this year.
This year’s game is called LOGO Motion, and it involves using a robot and a mini-bot, which could climb a vertical pole at the end of the game. The robot would have to place inflatable symbols and tubes on pegs to create the FIRST logo. The greater the height achieved more the points scored. Also the first mini bot to reach the top of the pole gets maximum points. The winners of this tournament would then compete in the St. Louis world championship, which would be held on April 27- May 1. Totally 63 teams are participating in this competition. Two teams have been sponsored by NASA Langley, the Triple Helix from the Menchville High School, who had won the South Carolina FIRST Palmetto Regional Robotics and the NASA Knights from New Horizons Regional Education Center, who had the Chairman’s Award in the Georgia regional competition.
Most of the teams are sponsored and mentored by businesses in and around Hampton Roads. FIRST Robotics, which was introduced in the year 1991, has always been a great source of encouragement for young people to become interested in technology and science. These programs help them to gain self-confidence, leadership and communication skills along with cultivating an interest in engineering, science and technological subjects.
Source: http://www.virginiafirst.org/