Farmington Schools Robotics Team Battles for State Title This Weekend

On the heels of two successful regional events, the Farmington Public Schools Hackbots are competing this weekend in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) state robotics tournament.

First round matches at Eastern Michigan University's Convocation Center in Ypsilanti started Thursday, with preliminary rounds all day Friday and Saturday morning. Finals are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Hackbots took second place at a regional event in Waterford and first place in a Livonia regional event, both held last month. Their robot moves across a field with two large pyramids at opposite ends, then tosses flying discs at targets to earn points. 

The Hackbots team is open to students from Farmington, Harrison and North Farmington high schools. 

According to a press release, FIRST Robotics is active in more than 35 percent of all Michigan high schools. The organization focuses on creating a high-energy environment that allows adult professional mentors to work side by side with high school students to show how much fun engineering, math, science and technology can be for a career choice.

More than $16 million in college scholarships are available exclusively for FIRST students in 2013.

You can cheer on the Hackbots during the tournament, which is free and open to the public.