ROBOTS TO TAKE OVER WILLIAMS ARENA

According to a press release from the Minnesota State High School League, “Exercise balls to be launched, caught and scored in the 2014 game. Exercise balls about two feet in diameter will be launched, caught and scored at Williams Arena on Saturday, May 17, with the action undertaken by robots designed, built and controlled by 30 teams of Minnesota high school students.

The Minnesota State Robotics Tournament is in its third year and was the first of its kind in the nation sponsored by a high school activities association. It will be conducted on the famous raised floor of “The Barn.” Students on 30 teams throughout Minnesota will compete to claim the state championship.”

The qualified teams represent the top 30 Minnesota teams from various FIRST® regional competitions. Minnesota had the third largest FIRST® Robotics Competition state contingent in the nation in 2013 with 180 teams, and for 2014 that number jumped to 207 teams.

Admission to the tournament is free. The schedule: Opening Ceremonies at 8:30 a.m.; Qualification Matches involving randomly drawn alliances from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.; Semifinals, Third Place and Championship matches in best 2-out-of-3 competition involving the top four qualifying teams that choose their own alliance partners begin at 3:15 p.m.; Awards will be presented at about 4:30 p.m”.

Last year I went and covered the event and everyone had a good time. You can watch the students work on their Robots and talk to them about making them.