By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
After two years away from the battlefield, robotic teams from around the state will once again enter the East Kentwood High School gym to face off for honors and a chance to compete at the state level.
The East Kentwood FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, hosted by East Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, will take place this Friday, and Saturday. There are 34 teams scheduled to compete. Among the local teams are Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, Wyoming High School’s Demons, and Potter’s House’s Tactical Hams. The event also will be recorded by WKTV and aired on Comcast Channel 25 along with being available on the WKTV on-demand site.
This year’s competition is called “Rapid React,” hosted by Boering. The purpose of the competition is to have teams look at today’s global challenges related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9. Teams are focused on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.
“By encouraging FIRST participants to think about future transportation sustainability, we’re also empowering them to be the next generation of leaders and innovators, tackling the world’s toughest challenges,” according to the FIRST Robotics website.
Teams had six weeks to build a robot that would be able to load and move basketballs to designated areas. In the final part of the competition, robots must be able to demonstrate climbing abilities by moving through a series of bars. Through the competition, the teams will demonstrate skills in mechanical engineering, computer-aid design, electrical engineering, programming, systems integration, website building, animation, and fabrication/machining.
Thursday is when the pits officially open and inspections take place. The action starts on Friday, with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. and qualifying matches starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday the big day with opening ceremonies again at 9 a.m. and qualifying matches starting at 9:30 a.m. Alliance selections will take place at 12:30 p.m. with playoff matches set for 2 p.m. and awards around 5 p.m.
Each team is required to attend two district competitions. Those teams that earn enough points or certain awards, then advance to the state competition which will be April 13-17 with the national competition set for April 20-23 in Houston.
The event is free and open to the public. Masks are required for all participants, volunteers, and spectators. Participants and those in the pits are required to wear safety glasses.
The East Kentwood High School is located at 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
Started in 1992, FIRST is an international high school robotics competition founded by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen — the man behind the Segway — and MIT professor emeritus Woodie Flowers. In fact, Kamen often has stated that FIRST is the invention he feels most proud of.
