Hundreds of young students participate in robot competition

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Story Published: Dec 5, 2009 at 6:13 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 5, 2009 at 6:13 PM MDT

By Wes Horrocks

POCATELLO - It was a grueling, stressful day for young kids as they tried to guide a robot through an obstacle course.

The students are all part of the annual FIRST Lego League.

The program helps get kids interested in science and technology, along with teaching them how to work with others. Alex Huerta, with team Gotta Have My Bots said, "Overall you're just plain excited."

Thirty-seven teams from Southern Idaho and Northern Utah are going head to head to find out who has the best robot. Kaidance Firebaugh, a member of the Irving GATORS team said, "You have two motors that run the wheels, and a motor that runs the arm."

And everything has to work perfectly.

Each bot goes through this obstacle course picking up rings, and trying to avoid obstacles. Firebaugh said, "We think that we are going to do well, but even though it's a practice run I'm still nervous. It's intense."

Each team had to come up with their own robot design, and teach it to do what they want. Huerta said, "You get to incorporate your own design, and programming. Nothing is better than that."

And working as a team is a major component of the annual competition. James Goettsche, a 7th grader on the Irving GATORS team said, "If you're arguing with your team a lot then sometimes you'll get distracted from the missions and you won't be able to do well."

The competition is also getting kids excited about their education. Lawrence Beaty, Associate Director of the Energy Systems Technology and Education Center at Idaho State University said, "This is important for the future of our workforce, and it's important for the future of the country to have young people who are interested, and excited with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."

The top teams will move on to the next level of competition next month. "We hope to see it go to state," said Huerta.

Another qualifying round will be held for teams in Idaho Falls next weekend.

The state competition will be held in Pocatello on January 16.

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