Clearwater to Host World Robot Olympiad Qualifier

Clearwater, FL – Opportunities for student interested in STEM-based activities are on the rise. This weekend, Tampa Bay-area students will have a chance to display their robotics skills and have a chance to compete on a national level.

The World Robot Olympiad USA officially launched its 2016 season and Clearwater will host the Florida regional competition this weekend. The local competition will take place Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave. The event is sponsored by the City of Clearwater. Registration is still open for the Clearwater regional competition.

Students can compete in one of two categories (Open and Regular) in three different age groups: Elementary (ages 12 and younger), Junior High (ages 13 to 15) and Senior High (Ages 16 to 19). All teams must register a head coach, and assistant coach and up to three team members.

WRO is a global robotics competition with more than 55 participating countries and almost 20,000 teams worldwide. Contestants design, build and program robots to complete specific challenges all on site at the competition.

“Aside from learning the building and programming, students also learn essential skills like teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and communication,” said William Wong, the U.S. national organizer for WRO. “I’ve watched so many students become much more confident as a result of these competitions. I see firsthand the effect STEM education has on kids, and to watch a child develop his or her passion is truly inspiring. I would love to see these kids in 10 to 15 years to see the effect it has had on their lives, and the effect they’ve had on society.”

Participants in this weekend’s qualifier will have a chance to compete for an opportunity to advance to the national championship at Northern Illinois University on Sept. 4.

“We enthusiastically support WRO’s mission to bring young people together through robotics and STEM, and we couldn’t be more excited to host the WRO-USA National Championship at NIU in September,” said Pettee Guerrero, STEM Outreach program developer at Northern Illinois University.

To register for this weekend’s competition, visit http://www.wro-usa.org/#!clearwater-library/ax17j. For more information, contact Emma Alaba at Computer Learning Center, simplepc4u@aol.com or (727) 447-3067.

Image via World Robot Olympiad

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