Robotics comp coming to WNC

The public is invited to the Northern Nevada FIRST Tech Challenge Championship at the Donald W. Reynolds Technology Center at 10 a.m. Saturday. Admission is free.

“We are working to promote a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics as well as innovation among high school students through robotics teams and competitions,” said Sherry Black, WNC’s career and technical education academic director. “In addition to being a great event, this is an opportunity for the CTE Department and WNC to showcase our campus to high school students, their families and the community.”

Set up like a sports event, the FTC Championship will give students in seventh through 12th grades a venue to compete against other teams with the robots they designed, built and programmed. Qualifying matches begin at 11 a.m. in room 109. Elimination matches follow from 2-4 p.m.

“During the competition matches, teams compete with their alliance partners to score a variety of points by raising flags, retrieving and placing gold blocks on balanced beams,” said Dee Frewert, FIRST NV director. “You’ll see cleverly constructed articulated arms that do highly specialized maneuvers. They’ll be using defensive strategies to get to the ramp first, and in the last 30 seconds of the match will attempt to clamp and elevate their robots.”

An awards ceremony will follow the competition at 4 p.m. Recognition will be given to the top teams, as well as awards for community outreach, design and other feats.

Qualifying teams advance to the state championship, set for Feb. 1 at the Northwest Career and Tech Center in Las Vegas. State winners go on to the regional competition in Sacramento. Top teams at regionals advance to the World Robotics Competition in St. Louis.