Competition will be held March 22-24 in the Convocation Center at Cal U
Fans of classic 8-bit arcade games will be in their element at this year's Greater
Pittsburgh Regional FIRST® Robotics Competition.
More than 50 teams from nine states, as well as teams from China and Taiwan, will
drive their 120-pound, custom-built robots across the playing field March 22-24 in
the Convocation Center at California University of Pennsylvania.
In this year's challenge, FIRST POWER UP, "alliances, videogame characters and their human operators are trapped in an arcade game" and must complete a series of tasks in order to escape. Robots will maneuver "power cubes" into a vault and onto giant balancing scales, then ascend a central tower to "face the boss."
After a six-week design-and-build period at their home schools, nearly 1,000 students in grades 9-12 are expected to pack up their robots and travel to Cal U for this year's competition.
In addition to the Pennsylvania and overseas competitors, teams will arrive from Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia for the contest.
See more info and a list of teams
Dr. Jennifer Wilburn, an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Engineering
and Technology and coordinator of Cal U's mechatronics engineering technology program, is among the industry professionals who serve as judges for the competition.
"FIRST is a fantastic organization, helping to promote all facets of careers in technology
and engineering, in a safe, encouraging environment," she said.
"Students are given the opportunity to take part not just in the technical aspects of the competition, but also in creative and supportive avenues like leadership, team work, funding, outreach, marketing and team promotion."
The free event is open to the public; tickets are not required. Robot inspections and practice matches take place March 22. Qualifying matches are scheduled for March 23 through the morning of March 24, followed by elimination rounds and the regional finals.
Spectators can watch the ongoing POWER UP action from seats in the Convocation Center or don safety glasses and visit the "pits," where competitors modify and repair their robots and market their teams.
Team members also will have access to machine shops inside Helsel Hall, where repair stations are again being coordinated by Dr. Joseph Schickel, of the Applied Engineering and Technology Department.
Cal U is playing host to the FIRST Robotics Greater Pittsburgh Regional competition for the fifth consecutive year.
"We are thrilled to have FIRST back on campus," said Becky McMillen, executive director of University Conference Services. "Our partnership continues to grow beyond the event, and it is exciting to see the collaboration between faculty, students and the FIRST organization."
Admissions staff will be on hand to meet with high school students who may be interested in attending Cal U.
Depending on their school's location, winners of the Greater Pittsburgh Regional will join winning teams from other regional contests at the FIRST Robotics Championship, either April 18-21 in Houston, Texas, or April 25-28 in Detroit, Mich.