ThunderQuest storms into Utica Community Schools

Nearly 50 robotics teams from across the region will take part on November 19 in the annual UCS ThunderQuest, the largest FIRST LEGO League qualifying tournament in Michigan

The 48 teams will compete from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Henry Ford II High School, 11911 Clinton River Rd. in Sterling Heights. Twelve of the teams will be from Utica Community Schools.

FIRST LEGO Robotics introduces younger students (ages 9-14) to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface.

The ThunderQuest tournament will feature several competitions, including a tech presentation where students create an autonomous robotic vehicle that will follow a course on a 4 x 8 table. Students also compete in teamwork competitions and a display of a project that describes their solution for issues identified through the national Animal Allies challenge.

The top ten teams will advance to the state tournament this December.

The program is free to the public.