Bonanza Valley Voice -

The 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff was held on Saturday at the campus of Central Lakes College in Staples. Attending were area schools, including seven members Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa's Robotics team.

The FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) competition begins with a six-week long "build" period where robotics teams across the area design and build a robot that will meet the requirements of a challenge competition. This year the competition is called FIRST "Stronghold" with a Renaissance Festival-type them. B-B-E's Robotics team will unite with other teams as they attempt to navigate robots through a unique maze of obstacles and challenges while trying to destabilize and ultimately take over a castle-like tower.

In a video introducing students to the 2016 challenge, Dean Kamen gave a keynote speech. Kamen is an American entrepreneur and inventor best known for his invention called the Segway PT, an electric, self-balancing human transporter with a computer-controlled gyroscopic stabilization and control system.

Kamen said, "We want to get kids hungry for science. In the future, the workforce will have an emphasis on a worker's ability to adapt to changing skillsets."

"We want aspirational after-school activities that steer a kid's interest towards math and science."

B-B-E's Robotics team has about 20 students and will work up to four days a week from now through February 21. Stay tuned for more on the team in future issues!