Robotics FIRST competition set for March 8,9 at Belleville High School

Belleville High School’s robotics team is again hosting a FIRST Robotics District Event on Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9.
This open-to-the-public event will take place in the BHS Main Gym, and admission is free.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, the not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
Their mission is to inspire young people to be leaders and innovators in science and technology by engaging them in exciting, mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
More than 460,000 students on over 3,000 teams participated in last year’s event along with more than 230,000 mentors, coaches, judges, and volunteers in over 85 countries around the world. Two of the four teams which won last year’s global championship were from Michigan.
This year, the State of Michigan itself has more than 500 teams, the most of any geographic region in the world.
The Belleville district event will feature 40 teams from across Southeast Michigan, including Team 6615 from BHS, the Belle Voxel Bots, who will compete for the district prize as well as for ranking points which will potentially earn them a berth in a state-wide competition to be hosted by Saginaw Valley State University.
The schedule for the Belleville events:
Thursday, March 7
• Pit set up starting at 5 p.m.
Friday, March 8
• Doors open at 8:00 am
• Opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m.
• Match competition from 11 a.m. until approximately 7 p.m.
• Pits close at 8 p.m. (or one hour after last match of the day)
Saturday, March 9
• Doors open at 8 a.m.
• Opening ceremonies at 9 a.m.
• Match competition continues from 9:30 a.m. until about 1 p.m.
• Playoff rounds begin at about 2 p.m.
• Award presentation at about 5 p.m.
• Pits close at 6:30 p.m. (or one hour after completion of awards ceremony)
The Belleville team looks forward to seeing a large enthusiastic crowd representing the 39 visiting teams, and hopes that the residents of the Van Buren Public School District will also come out to cheer on the home team.