Students learn team work through robotics

There are many things a high school student could be doing on a Saturday morning. Yet, for a number of local students, and others outside the area, the first Saturday of 2015 was spent at the Show Me Center competing to see what team made the best robot.

The FIRST Tech Challenge was hosted by Southeast Missouri State University Jan. 4. This was the sixth year for the challenge. This month's event brought out 42 teams, including 12 from Scott City, Chaffee, Leopold, Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

The challenge was a mix of the robot acting on its own and then with student assistance. It began with the robots having to knock loose a stick with plastic balls. It then had to pick up the objects and put them in different tubes.

This is a unique event that combines a team approach with a scientific discipline. Will all these students pursue a career in robotics? Probably not. But the process of working together is something that transcends industry.

It's impressive to see students take an interest in the field.

Congratulations to the students who participated and to those who advanced to the Rolla Robotics Qualifier at Rolla High School on March 7.