Statewide Robotics Championship Ready to Roll

High school students from around state compete at UAA

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Mar 8, 2013 at 7:17 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 8, 2013 at 7:17 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Hundreds of high school students from around the state are in Anchorage getting set for a big competition. Saturday is the statewide High School Robotics Championship being held at UAA.

The event draws teams from all over Alaska to face the same challenge: construct a robot from a box of nuts and bolts and program it to do a specific task.

Organizers say the program helps kids learn to work as a team, identify problems and how to solve them. It encourages them to study math and science and introduces skill sets they can use throughout their lives.

“It’s the skill sets they need in any career,” said volunteer Dave Patterson. "This gives them the confidence they need to go out and figure out where they want to go, what they want to do and how they are going to get there.”

This year there are 36 teams from all across the state, including tiny villages. Teams will square off in a series of matches that is not unlike a type of frantic tick tack toe for robots. Opening ceremonies are at 9 a.m. Saturday and the elimination round of competition is expected to begin around 3 p.m. The public is welcome to come to the UAA Sports Center to help cheer on the teams.

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