District competitions for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics kicked off in Michigan, Indiana and New England to name a few this weekend.

The competition started in 1992 with 28 teams. The event has grown to include more than 2,700 teams in 92 cities around the globe, with one of the largest concentration of teams in Michigan according to CBS.

FIRST encourages science, technology, teamwork and mathematics in students and encourages them to explore, be creative and problem-solve. When asked what appealed most to the students about being part of these competitions, the word comradery came up often. Also a perk for the students was that they were learning how to apply their studies in a hands-on environment.

The teams this year are competing in Recycle Rush, a sport-like game where robots compete three on three in randomly paired matches for two days in the simulated recycling challenge. Each year, a new game is revealed in January, leaving the teams with only about six weeks to build their robot for competition.

During the event, the robots score points by stacking totes on scoring platforms, topping those masses with recycling bins and properly disposing of pool noodles, representing litter.

Alliances can produce supplementary points for recycling containers placed on the scored totes with containers at greater height. However, if alliances leave litter unprocessed on their side of the field at the end of the match, points will be added to the score of their opposing alliance.

The events are open to the public at no cost. And get ready for some cheering and team pride. The feel of the crowd at the competitions is not unlike that of a high school pep-rally.