Lamar School robotics team previews statewide FIRST Tech Challenge qualifier

Students from Lamar School’s FIRST Tech Challenge team introduced their robot to the Meridian City Council and invited the public to a qualifying tournament the school will host on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Phyllis Skipper presented the students and was joined by Leanne Belew, head of Lamar School, and former team member Charlie Belew. Team members identified themselves and explained the FIRST program, which they said serves students ages 12 to 18 and emphasizes research, design, building and programming. The students said the Lamar qualifier will host 22 teams from across the state and that there is no admission charge.

Students demonstrated elements of their robot and described match rules: a 2 minute, 30 second match with a 30-second autonomous period followed by a driver-controlled period. They explained the playing field dimensions, robot starting size limits (18 by 18 inches), and that one task involves moving colored blocks to elevated baskets. The team said it qualified for state via an earlier tournament but cannot compete at its own qualifier because it is the host. Students invited council members and the public to attend and said the event begins at 10:30 a.m. at Lamar School.

Council members and public attendees thanked the students for the demonstration and took photos following the presentation.