3/17/14 - An event this weekend at Parker Middle School in Howell had all the sights and sounds of an athletic contest. But unlike the usual basketball or football game, this event had only mechanized players on the field. FIRST Robotics of Michigan held one of their state tournaments in Howell for the first time, with 40 teams competing for a chance to advance to the state finals. The robots competed in a game called Aerial Assist, in which the robots had to scoop up large exercise balls, carry them across a playing field and then shoot them into designated goals for points. Each teamâs robots were required to work in an alliance with those from two other teams. At least half a dozen of the teams were from Livingston County, including the host team, the SCOTS Bots from Howell High School. Kevin Carstenson is one of the teamâs mentors and says the event was unqualified success with approximately 4,500 visitors on both Friday and Saturday. He added that Don Bossi, the President of FIRST Robotics, attended. FIRST is an acronym that means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. The overall winner of the tournament was from Royal Oak, but all of the teams will have additional opportunities to qualify for the state finals. (JK)
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