GVSU hosts statewide robotics competition

Nearly 1,000 students on 41 high school teams from across the state will gather at Grand Valley State University to compete in the FIRST Robotics District Competition from March 16-17.

The For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) teams had six weeks to design and build robots for the competition. “Rebound Rumble,” this year’s game field, challenges two competing teams to score the most basketballs in a hoop with their robots. FIRST Robotics helps students get hands-on experience solving real-world problems and discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology careers.

FIRST West Michigan District Competition
March 16-17
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fieldhouse Arena
Allendale Campus

The event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing at Grand Valley. Complete information, including a detailed schedule and a list of teams, is available at www.firstinmichigan.org.

The 2012 season includes an estimated 2,355 teams — nearly 60,000 high school students — participating in 68 regional and district events worldwide. FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Learn more at www.usfirst.org.