FIRST Robotics state finals coming to Montana State

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- The state finals of a robotics competition that teaches youth STEM skills and develops future scientists and engineers will be held today and tomorrow at Montana State University. Standout students from all over the Treasure State compete as members of FIRST -- “For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology – teams, all of which advanced from regional qualifiers held last month in Kalispell, Missoula, Billings, and Helena. 

Tomorrow it’s grades 4 through 8 in the FIRST Lego Series, while today we’ll see grades 7 through 12 battle it out with more advanced robots in the FIRST Tech Challenge. While teams advance through winning, the program also stresses what they call “co-op-er-tition", whereby points are awarded for understanding opponents’ projects, and assisting them in times of need. Most vitally, though, FIRST competitions motivate and educate the next generation of STEM leaders.  

FIRST volunteer and retired engineer Jack Rumple says the program is a boon to the American economy: “Right now there are more high-tech science and technology jobs. Manufacturing today is at a whole different level. And the workforce needs to have science and technology skills. So we've created an opportunity for folks to have fun as they continue with the hard work that’s needed to fill the jobs of the future.” 

In a brainiac sport where FIRST notes “everyone can go pro”, the younger students compete today at Shroyer Gym while the older kids battle with their robots tomorrow at Norm Asbjornsen Hall.