Clark State Community College and Powerstackers Robotics of Dayton Ohio are hosting its FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge Robotics Tournament Saturday, January 11 at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center in Springfield.
Twenty-four robotics teams from all over Ohio will compete in friendly, but fierce competition.
PowerStackers Robotics Team is the Robotics Host for this FIRST Robotics Tournament. FIRST Robotics is a non-profit organization encouraging children of ages 6 to 18 to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
The four programs include: Junior FIRST Lego League (ages 6 to 9), FIRST Lego League (ages 9-14), FIRST Tech Challenge (ages 12-18) and FIRST Robotics Challenge (ages 14-18).
Each year a new challenge is released with a new set of obstacles and gameplay mechanisms. Each team builds and programs a robot in response to the challenge, then competes in high-energy tournaments. In addition to building and programming, students learn to work as a team, develop Gracious Professionalism (good sportsmanship) and hone their business skills.
Through this Star Wars-Themed 2020 Season Challenge called “Skystone,” humans and droids work together to create a future skyscraper. As a part of their mission, teams overcome obstacles that stand in their path. Once their skyscraper is built, they top it off with a crown of achievement—a final capstone to symbolize their reach to the sky and dreams of a hopeful future.
FIRST was created in 1989 by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers. It is based in Manchester, New Hampshire.
“FIRST® is more than robots,” says founder Dean Kamen. “The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect – of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence and with a sense that they can create their own future.”
The FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Tournament at Clark State Hollenbeck Bayley Conference Center, 275 South Fountain Avenue is free to the public. Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. with robot rounds starting soon after. Final rounds will begin at approximately 4 p.m.