The Regional FIRST Robotics Competition at Richmond, Virginia will have several robotic engineers participating in the tournament, which is being held from March 16 to 17.
The competition is hosted for high school students aged between 14 and 18. The student teams underwent a six-week project, directed by teachers and professional volunteers that include designing, construction, programming and testing of a robot. Students from Hampton Roads along with their robots will compete in the tournament held at Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center.
Teams from all over the country are constructing robots to participate in this year’s basketball game entitled ‘Rebound Rumble’. Two alliances, each comprising three teams, will compete with each other for 2- min and 15-s. The team scoring the highest number of baskets will secure points. More points are given for scoring balls in higher hoops, bonus points are given if the robots are balanced on bridges during the closure.
Winners at the regional tournaments will progress to the world championships scheduled from April 25 to 29, in St. Louis.
Over 60 teams represent Virginia region with majority of them hailing from Hampton Roads. Two teams such as the Triple Helix from Menchville High School in Newport News, Virginia, and the NASA Knights from New Horizons Regional Education Center have been sponsored by NASA Langley.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov/