Robots return to Juneau

Robots are returning to Juneau.

The 11th annual Robot Jamboree is taking place this Saturday at Centennial Hall, featuring 24 teams from around Southeast Alaska. The teams are competing for the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) LEGO League state championship, as more than 200 students will use their engineering, programming and math skills to make autonomous robots perform specific missions.

The free event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, with prime viewing activity from 12:30-5 p.m., according to a release.

This year’s topic is “HydroDynamics,” where students are seeking to solve problems related to water in their community with the robots. FIRST activities in Alaska are coordinated by the Juneau Economic Development Council’s STEM AK program with funding from Alaska Airlines, Alaska Communications, BP Alaska, ConocoPhillips, Delta Western and GCI.

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