Robotics Tournament for Elementary and Middle School Students at Grossmont College

A robotics tournament for elementary and middle school students will be held at Grossmont College on Saturday, Nov. 3. Sixteen teams, each with eight participants in fourth through ninth grade, will compete in the tournament organized by East County Robotics Alliance, a local nonprofit group.

The public is invited to watch the robot matches from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the college’s Health and Sciences Complex, Building #34. Admission is free.

Cory Hoover, founder of East County Robotics Alliance, said the tournament will consist of three competitive aspects, including robot design, research and adherence to core values. The core values include teamwork, working to find solutions, learning together, the spirit of friendly competition, discovery is more important than winning, sharing experiences, gracious professionalism and fun. Hoover said the entrants will be asked to develop innovative solutions designed to improve the lives of senior citizens, including assistance with daily tasks, transportation or any other challenges seniors face.

Volunteers are needed as judges, timekeepers, scorekeepers and to assist with set-up and tear-down. To volunteer, contact Michael Reese, Grossmont College’s dean of the Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Exercise Science and Wellness Division at mike.reese@gcccd.edu or (619) 644-7163, or Hoover at CHoover@SWRise.org or (619) 403-9268.

The top teams from the qualifying tournament at Grossmont College will advance to the Southern California regional competition on Dec. 1 and 2 at the Legoland California theme park in Carlsbad. The qualifying tournament is sponsored by FIRST LEGO League, an international non-profit organization designed to get children excited about science and technology. FIRST is an acronym for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.”