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Increasing student’s interest in STEM activities is the goal behind a robotics event happening in Indianapolis this weekend.
The 2nd Annual City of Indianapolis VEX Robotics Championship will bring together 88 teams from middle and high schools around the state to battle it out robot style.
Last year’s event was a great success prompting Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard to expand the competition. The opportunity also gets kids excited about science, technology, engineering and math using the lessons in a hands-on, exciting way.
"The competition encourages team work, leadership, problem solving," says Indianapolis Deputy Mayor for Eduction, Jason Kloth. "It so clearly connects them to the actual work we'll need in a 21st century economy."
The fees have been waived and materials provided so more students can compete. Winning teams receive full scholarships to Rose-Hulman University and another bonus.
"The championship team will actually receive a six foot trophy," Kloth said. He says that Ballard felt the large trophy was important.
The public is invited to check out the robots that will take over Bankers Life Fieldhouse this Saturday and Sunday with a STEM fair as part of the action. The action begins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The pit area opens at 8 a.m. Sunday, and the STEM Fair will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Indy VEX competition is the largest city-wide robotics contest in the country.
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