Robotics Finals Today

It's not too late to catch some of Hawaii's brightest young minds in action in one of the most surprisingly exciting competitions you'll likely ever see. And admission is free! Today is the last day of the FIRST in Hawai`i Regional Robotics Competition, taking place at the Stan Sheriff Center on the UH-Manoa campus.

Teams from schools across the state and across the country have built complex and sturdy robots to battle head-to-head, moving and tossing 40-inch balls around and over an obstacle course. And today is by far the most popular and dramatic day of competition. Qualifying rounds wrap up in the morning, with the finals beginning at 1 p.m.

• Robots rule isle contest (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)

• Machines vs. machines (Honolulu Advertiser)

Of course, there's a lot more to FIRST than spectacular robot battles. Founded by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, its mission is "to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication and leadership."