No, this isn’t something out of an H.G. Wells novel nor an Orson Wells radio broadcast. It’s a gathering of high school age kids from all over the northwest in a showcase of science and technology in the 2012 Seattle FIRST Robotics Competition being held this weekend at the Century Link Events Center.

FIRST or For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology is the brainchild of Segway creator Dean Kamen. From humble beginnings in 1989 FIRST now has teams in high schools on every continent, inspiring young people's interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST is an exciting mentor-based programs that builds science, engineering and technology skills that inspire innovation and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

One of the regions many teams competing this weekend is Highline High School’s High Tekerz Team 3574. Team 3574 surprised everyone in last year’s state completion by taking second place… in their first season. The Tekerz were also crowned best rookie team of 2011. This year second place is not an option for the High Tekerz as they unveil “Lazy Suzan” (named that because the rotating launch system was based on the familiar condiment tray). A complex robot requiring not only computer language skills but knowledge of electronics, pneumatics, design, fabrication, driving skills, and believe it or not marketing and sales as team members must raise the money needed to construct and transport their robot. And when I say robot I actually mean robots. The team built” Lazy Suzan” to the specifications laid out by FIRST and then, per the rules, sealed her in plastic so no tampering can be done. So to test and refine her further they built a second bot named “Jones”. The day before the competition Team 3574 will be allowed to make any needed changes to “Lazy Suzan” based on the work done with “Jones”.

The Highline Times will be keeping an eye on the High Tekerz , during the completion and will provide you with all of the competition highlights. The event is free to the public and competition will begin Friday from 9am to 6pm and culminating with the championship rounds on Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm.

For more information about FIRST and the Seattle Regional at Century Link see the links below.

Other local teams in the Seattle Olympic Regional Webcast include 1983 Aviation Skunkworks & 2942 Evergreen TEC as well as teams from West Seattle High School and Ballard High School.
http://www.firstwa.org/FRC/SeattleRegional/SeattleOlympicWebcast/tabid/…

2012 Season FIRST Robotics Competition aka Rebound Rumble: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events

2012 FRC Regional/District Event Webcast List: http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Progr…

2012 Game Animation http://www.youtube.com/user/FRCTeamsGlobal