Iowa
Iowa students compete in state robotics competition, learning more than just STEM skills
CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) — High school students from all across the state were in Coralville this weekend battling it out with their robots.
Friday and Saturday were the FIRST Tech Challenge state championships. It’s a robotics program where students design, build, and program their very own robot.
This year, the teams competed by picking up and moving blocks into a bucket or onto a structure. 72 teams participated in the championship, 12 of which are from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Marion, Solon, and Tiffin.
However, the competition is more than just building a robot.
“It teaches students about STEM skills, right? Science, technology, engineering, and math. But, also, it allows them to grow their soft skills, too. Effective communication, business planning, fundraising. They also have to do some CAD,” Rebecca Whitaker, program delivery partner with FIRST Tech Challenge Iowa, said.
Four teams from this competition will advance to the April world championship in Houston, Texas.
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