Robotics Challenge Draws 29 Teams From Arkansas, Oklahoma

Monday, December 9, 2013

— Junior high and high school teams from across Arkansas and Muskogee, Okla., will compete Saturday in the first Northwest Arkansas Robotics Challenge at Ramay Junior High School.

Principal Matt Saferight said 29 teams have registered. Students in eighth through 12th grade will be competing. The tournament is a Vex Robotics Competition, which is part of the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation.

The competition begins at 9:45 a.m. and elimination matches are scheduled at 3 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony.

Marianne Hauser, director of professional development and career education, said this is the first Vex Robotics Competition held in Northwest Arkansas. Other organizations, including the University of Arkansas, also conduct robotics competitions.

A team from Woodland Junior High School won the state level VEX competition last year and went on to compete in a national tournament in Omaha, Neb., Hauser said.