Kids robotics competition kicks off at UTSA on April 2

(March 29, 2016) -- Teams of students between grades three and eight from the San Antonio area will face off at the UTSA Convocation Center on Saturday, Apr. 2 for the Getting Excited About Robotics (G.E.A.R.) competition.

Organized by the Interactive Technology Experience Center, a community outreach program in the UTSA College of Engineering, G.E.A.R. is an annual robotics competition designed to motivate third through eighth graders to get excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The top-tier experience offers engaging, interactive, hands-on activities that build technical skills and foster critical thinking, self-confidence, communication and leadership.

The teams spend six weeks designing the best robot they cant to meet G.E.A.R.-themed challenges. At the end of the tournament, one elementary school team and one middle school team will take home grand prize trophies.

This year’s challenge is “Time Warp,” set in a laboratory devastated by an attempt to create a time machine. The competitors must create a robot than can collect radioactive artifacts in the laboratory, seal them in a radiation-proof container, cap the vortices created by the time machine and shut down power to the machine.

“The G.E.A.R. competition is a wonderful way to introduce the excitement and wonder of STEM to a new generation,” said JoAnn Browning, dean of the UTSA College of Engineering. “May the best robot win!”

This year, 100 teams are competing. The competition begins at 9:30 a.m., and winners will be announced at 2:40 p.m.

By Joanna Carver
Public Affairs Specialist

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