ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A dozen FIRST Robotics teams from across the U.P. are in Escanaba this week for a unique event at the U.P. State Fair.
Robot Fair Play puts different teams head-to-head each day. The event is an opportunity for teams to demonstrate what they learned in their robotics programs during the academic year.
“It’s something that people do at schools that a lot of people don’t know about unless you’re in it,” said Shyanna Halfaday, a member of team Robotowatomi from Hannahville. “I think it’s cool to watch, even if you don’t know how to program or anything, and you get to go on trips for your school.”
The robots race around the field to grab foam rings and get them into goals.
“A lot of robots have an intake where it scoops it up off the ground and then shoots it,” explained Newberry Robotics Team 5706 member Evelyn Cox. “There’s a couple different places you can shoot it—just try not to hit people.”
Robot Fair Play demonstrations take place in a large tent near the grandstand. In a neighboring tent, team members have a much smaller robot on display that fairgoers can learn to drive.
RJ Dunn, a third-year member of team Tahquamenon Phenomenon, says robotics teaches students much more than just how to move a robot around a field.
“It makes your brain function,” he said. “You have to think in tough spots, especially in competitions. You’re learning coding, electrical, anything to do with metalworking, so you’ve got multiple skills you’re learning on a daily basis.”
Michael Lamb, a fourth-year member of Manistique’s Junkyard Dogs, has been involved in robotics since elementary school and plans to pursue robotic engineering after high school. He says the skills robotics students learn can equip them for a range of potential career paths.
“Maybe it’s something they want to do, and this is a good place to start,” Lamb said. “You’ll get to use a lot of tools that you don’t normally, so if you want to work in the trades or if you want to program or be an electrician, it’s a good thing to do. We do a lot of community outreach stuff for people that would want to work in sales or marketing.”
While Robot Fair Play hopes to entertain at the U.P. State Fair, teams also want to inspire the next generation of robotics students.
“Everybody up here is really nice and friendly, so if you have issues, they’ll come and help you,” said Dunn. “There’s been multiple times other teams saved us.”
“It’s more than just robots,” Cox added. “It’s the team, it’s the community.”
Robot Fair Play will continue holding demonstrations through Sunday, August 18. Demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Robot Fair Play is also hosting interactive Lego activities in the Miracle of Life Pavilion. Click here for more information or follow Robot Fair Play on Facebook.
WZMQ 19 is a proud Reserve Champion Sponsor of the 2024 U.P. State Fair. Stay tuned for live reports from the fairgrounds throughout the week.
