Area Teens Compete in Robotics Competition

The Electro Eagles from Hartland, GRAYT (Genesee Robotic Area Youth Team) Leviathons of Fenton and Linden’s Robo Eagles are among the 40 teams duking it out at Kettering University in Flint for spots in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) state and national championships in April.

Kim Weber, Fenton resident, and her husband, Joe, coach the Leviathons and mentors the new Electro Eagles and Robo Eagles teams. In addition, she said, “we have younger students who are mentored in the Lego League” who go along to observe all competitions.

She explained that competitors are shown a game animation through NASA’s website. After that, they have six weeks to design, build, program and learn to operate a 120-pound robot through the FIRST program.

Weber added these local teams are composed of high school age students, but, unlike most of their competitors, are not sponsored by schools. Instead, they're supported by local businesses. Fenton’s team sponsors are Weber Electric and General Motors; JCPenney is footing the bill for Hartland’s team and the Linden team is financed by a SRT grant.

FIRST is a national effort to inspire youth to explore career possibilities in engineering, science and technology, according to press information from Kettering University, which hosts the event at its recreation center. The event is open to the public free of charge, taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 4 and 8:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 5.

For more information, see Kettering University's website or www.firstinmichigan.org.