The competition is an engineering challenge for high school students ages 14-18. Teams of students worked closely with teachers and volunteer mentors for six weeks to design, build, program and test a robot. Teams from Hampton Roads and their robots will compete in the tournament March 16-17 at Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center.
This year teams from across the country built robots to compete in the basketball themed game "Rebound Rumble." In Rebound Rumble two alliances, each made up of three teams, compete against each other by trying to score as many baskets as possible during the two-minute and 15-second match. Balls scored in higher hoops score teams more points. Team alliances are awarded bonus points if the robots are balanced on bridges at the end of the match.
Winners of regional tournaments will go on to compete in the world championships held in St. Louis, April 25-29.
The Virginia region consists of more than 60 teams, many of which are from Hampton Roads. NASA Langley sponsors two teams: the NASA Knights from New Horizons Regional Education Center, and the Triple Helix from Menchville High School in Newport News, Va.
WHAT: FIRST Robotics Virginia Regional Tournament
WHEN: March 16-17
WHERE: VCU Siegel Center at 1200 W. Broad Street, Richmond, Va.
Since 1991, FIRST Robotics has encouraged young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs. These programs build science, engineering and technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster self-confidence, communication and leadership.
For more information about the FIRST Robotics Virginia tournament, visit:
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