FIRST Robotics Competition
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: March 1, 2013
Students from around our area have been taking part in a unique competition at RIT.
It all started Thursday and continues through Saturday.
The FIRST Robotics Competition is a regional competition for schools all around our area.
The basic gist? To build a robot that can throw frisbees through selected targets and then climb a pyramid-type structure.
Students from the schools work with mentors to build the robots and compete against other schools. Students and mentors say the real world experience is invaluable.
"I think this is a great opportunity for the kids to apply the science and engineering skills they learn in school. Whereas normally they wouldn't have a chance to do that," said Larry Lewis, a robotics mentor.
"Girls are just as big of a part to robotics as guys are. And I think it's really cool that FIRST gives us a way for girls to get even more involved than we are in the professional fields," said Shannon Sweeney, a FIRST competition participant.
There are more than $16 million in college scholarships available for the students who compete in the tournament.
It all started Thursday and continues through Saturday.
The FIRST Robotics Competition is a regional competition for schools all around our area.
The basic gist? To build a robot that can throw frisbees through selected targets and then climb a pyramid-type structure.
Students from the schools work with mentors to build the robots and compete against other schools. Students and mentors say the real world experience is invaluable.
"I think this is a great opportunity for the kids to apply the science and engineering skills they learn in school. Whereas normally they wouldn't have a chance to do that," said Larry Lewis, a robotics mentor.
"Girls are just as big of a part to robotics as guys are. And I think it's really cool that FIRST gives us a way for girls to get even more involved than we are in the professional fields," said Shannon Sweeney, a FIRST competition participant.
There are more than $16 million in college scholarships available for the students who compete in the tournament.
