Department of Industrial Engineering
4207 Bell Engineering Center
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-3156
Fax: (479) 575-8431
FIRST Robotics Competition slated for April 2013
The University of Arkansas College of Engineering is hosting Arkansas’ first ever
Razorback Regional FIRST Robotics Competition next April. Over 2,000 high school students,
professional mentors and family members will gather in Barnhill Arena April 4-6, 2013,
to design and build robots, then compete for six coveted spots to go to the World
Championship in St. Louis.
Dubbed "the Superbowl of Smarts," the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology) Robotics Competition is a worldwide program that challenges teams
of high school students to design and build robots to perform prescribed tasks against
a field of competitors. The tasks vary from year to year, and are designed to challenge
students across disciplines, from computer programming to mechanical and electrical
engineering, all while incorporating math and science.
“Last year was tough, a robotic basketball game with a steel barrier and ramps added in the middle of the court,” said Chase Rainwater, an assistant professor of industrial engineering who competed in FIRST competitions as a high school student in Mountain Home, Ark. This year’s challenge will be announced in early January.
Dr. Chase Rainwater
To find out more about FIRST Robotics, please click here.
Release date: 12/3/2012