Robot Showdown at OMSI

Student Demos And Scrimmage Showcase Real-World Robotics

Saturday October 24, 2009 at OMSI

Don’t miss the excitement when high school robotics teams from throughout the Northwest converge on the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Saturday, Oct. 24, for a day of mechanical madness at the FIRST Robotics Showcase. Get an up-close look at these 120-pound student designed robots and see them in action.

Sixteen teams will compete in a scrimmage, Lunacy, where they are challenged to maneuver their robot around a field collecting “moon rocks” to put in their opponent’s trailers. Teams are members of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which helps high school students discover the engaging process of innovation and engineering while demystifying math and science applications.

Another FIRST group, Hot Shots, will be on-site actively building and testing their robots for the FIRST Tech Challenge in February. Visitors will have the opportunity to try their hand at driving one of their robots.

In addition, Smart Move, a middle school FIRST LEGO League team will be actively designing robots and creating new missions for their projects which involved transforming transportation.

“This showcase by FIRST gives visitors a chance to get an up-close look at real world robotics and what the possibilities and limitations are in a really fun and dynamic way,” said David Perry, OMSI lead educator for the Technology Lab.

This OMSI event is a chance for parents, students, mentors, and sponsors to learn about FIRST and to get information about joining local teams or starting one of their own. Warning: Getting involved with FIRST can be habit forming! More information can be found at www.oregonfirst.org.

The event will be held in OMSI’s Auditorium and Classroom from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Admission to this event is free, but does not include museum admission.