40 teams to compete at GVSU in FIRST Robotics event

Color coordinated fans are ready to cheer on their team at GVSU’s 2018 FIRST Robotics competition. (WKTV)

By Nate Hoekstra
GVSU

Teams from 40 West Michigan high schools will compete for robotic supremacy at the annual FIRST Robotics event hosted by Grand Valley State University.

The teams will compete on March 22-23 at Grand Valley’s Fieldhouse Arena in a challenge where they will use the robot that they have designed and built to fill a cargo ship and rocket with elements from space. Teams will race the clock, as well as their opponents, to pick up as much cargo as they can.

Grand Valley students and alumni will volunteer at the event to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM fields.

FIRST Robotics is a unique competition model where students gain real-world experience designing, programming, creating and marketing a robot to win the competition. Many teams work hand-in-hand with industry mentors and gain experience and skills not available in a traditional classroom setting.

The competition will be live-streamed on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/firstinmi03

For more information, visit http://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/