Philomath High School’s robotics program will enter the competitive arena at two venues Sunday with the FIRST Robotics Competition team participating in a scrimmage in Albany and the FIRST Tech Challenge squad hosting a qualifying tournament in the PHS gym.
PHRED (Philomath High Robotics and Engineering Division) participates in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) challenges. FIRST defines itself as a “robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs.”
PHRED’s Team 847 was one of the pioneer organizations in Oregon — established in 2001 with its first season in 2002.
Tom Thompson, PHRED mentor, reported that 20 high schools will take part in the FRC event, scheduled to run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Linn County Expo’s Santiam Center.
“The scrimmage gives each team a chance to test and tune their robot designs on a full field in preparation for official competitions beginning the end of February,” Thompson said, adding that the robots can weigh over 100 pounds and can be up to 4 feet tall.”
Besides Philomath, teams from Corvallis, Albany and Lebanon are among those scheduled to participate. Admission to the event is free. The Linn County Expo Center is located at 3700 Knox Butte Road E in Albany.
Meanwhile, Philomath’s FTC squad will compete from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday on its home turf in a “Second-Chance Qualifying Tournament.”
Thompson said 20 to 30 high school and middle school robotics teams from around the state will compete to earn a spot in the First Tech Challenge Oregon Championship.
“The robot must fit within an 18-inch cube and pass multiple hardware, software and electronics criteria,” Thompson said.
The tournament at Philomath has free admission.