Ohio State, high school students work together to create FIRST robots

Central Ohio high school students are down to the wire in creating robots that will compete in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robot competitions next month. Student teams from Columbus School for Girls, Dublin's Scioto High School and Hilliard's Darby High School, and a team of homeschool students, are working with Ohio State engineering students to design and create robots that will perform specified tasks during regional competitions beginning March 25.

The high school teams are building their robots at the Ohio State Center for Automotive Research (CAR). Team members as well as their Ohio State mentors will be available at 6 p.m. on Monday (2/23) for interviews and demonstrations at the center, 930 Kinnear Road, near the Ohio State campus. The FIRST robots must be completed and shipped for competition on Feb. 25.

The Columbus School for Girls team and the Dublin high schools team have competed at past FIRST contests. In 2003, the CSG team advanced to the national competition, and the Dublin FIRST team won the Rookie All-Star Award at the Cleveland Regional Competition in its first year of participation.

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of students and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. In its tenth year, more than 930 teams will participate nationwide and internationally, in 23 regional events and a Championship event. Teams are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and ability to overcome obstacles.

WHAT: Student teams from Columbus School for Girls and Dublin's Scioto and Darby High Schools, and a team of homeschool students, are working with Ohio State engineering students to design and create robots that will perform specified tasks during regional competitions beginning March 25.

WHEN: Robot demonstrations: 6 p.m. on Monday (2/23)

WHERE: Center for Automotive Research (CAR), 930 Kinnear Road

WHY: To demonstrate the robots being submitted for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and to discuss the partnership between Ohio State and local high schools.