WARREN - Robot building has begun.
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotics teams from area high schools, including Harding High School, have begun the designing and construction of their robots which will compete this spring at regional competitions throughout the country.
The teams met recently to hear the challenge set forth for competitions this year and also to begun brainstorming ideas.
Frank Bosak, a Harding graduate and volunteer, said the teams have six weeks to design a robot that can complete the challenge.
He said past challenges have included stacking plastic containers and racing around a track while manipulating large track balls. Teams receive a kit of parts which includes robot controllers and other components.
Once the design is finished, teams will ship their robots to a regional competition in March.
Teams from Trumbull and Mahoning counties watched the kickoff rules and challenge description via television webcast.
Teams include Warren G. Harding and teams from Austintown Fitch and Niles McKinley, who are new this year. Both counties are home to eight FIRST teams including Girard, Liberty, Maplewood, Champion and Chaney.
Bosak said team members are in grades ninth to 12th with this year 10 new students out of the 65 who have signed up
Engineers from Delphi are assisting the team with the construction.
Cierra Sparks, a junior at Harding, has plans to go into an engineering field in college and feels what she has gained from the robotics program will help prepare her.
"I have more and more responsibilities each year as a member of the team because of the experience I have gained," she said.
Bosak said the team watched the webcast and then did brainstorming. He said this year's the robots will have to go over ramps and hurdles when moving a soccer ball in order to score points.
FIRST's goal is to unite science and technology professionals with high school students to ignite in those students a desire to pursue a science and technology field.
Greg Christman, Harding faculty adviser, will help with the overseeing of the project after school where the construction and practicing will take place.
In March, the teams will begin competing at three regional events scheduled for Raleigh, N.C., Washington, D.C., and Cleveland.
Delphi adviser Travis Hoffman is assisting with the design phase. Teams that are successful at the regional advance to the championships.