Students Showcase STEM Skills at the Utah Regional FIRST Robotics Competition

WEST VALLEY CITY — This weekend, hundreds of students from Utah and neighboring states are flexing their STEM muscles at the exhilarating Utah Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. It’s not just about competition; it’s a fantastic opportunity for young minds to dive into the world of engineering and teamwork.

Evan Lerner, representing the University of Utah College of Engineering, emphasizes the significance of such events, stating, “These kinds of competitions are such a great opportunity to learn the basics of engineering. It’s really a holistic way of getting into the engineering mindset of how to work with a team and accomplish goals.”

Robot Battles Begin!

The teams have constructed semi-autonomous robots that are now facing off in an array of mechanical challenges. This year’s game is called "Reefscape," set on a simulated seabed where robots tackle tasks such as picking up exercise balls—symbolizing algae—and PVC pipes, representing coral. The ultimate test is to throw these items into overhead nets or stack them all before the clock runs out.

We caught up with “The Underdogs,” one of the 17 Utah teams competing from Cottonwood High School. Team member Carlota Rojas, a high school junior, expressed her mix of excitement and nerves: "Really fun, really stressed, like, is everything going to work? Is something going to break? Are we going to do well? Are we not going to do well? We are going to do the best we can."

Teamwork and Resilience on Display

Coach Yuri Perez highlights the importance of these competitions as excellent preparation for the workforce, teaching invaluable skills like teamwork and resilience. “What I love about it is I’m seeing them growing. This actually is teaching them that they can succeed even when things don’t work in the beginning,” he notes.

The excitement continues at the Maverik Center in West Valley City through Saturday, with the event open to the public. Winning teams will have the chance to advance to the FIRST Championship in April, taking place in Houston, Texas.

As the competition unfolds, it’s clear that these students are not just building robots—they’re forging their futures. The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.