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"Final Four of Smarts" robotics competition takes over Chaifetz Arena

Teams of teens will be competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition regional at Chaifetz Arena this weekend.
(Véronique LaCapra/St. Louis Public Radio)
Teams of teens will be competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition regional at Chaifetz Arena this weekend.

Forty-three teams of teens from Missouri and four surrounding states be competing in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition regional this weekend at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis.

(You can see a full feature on last year's FIRST competition here, too).

The teams will be competing for recognition for design excellence, sportsmanship, teamwork and the chance to advance to the FIRST Championship at the Edward Jones Dome next month.

Here's how the competition breaks down:

  • The competition is between two alliances of three teams to each alliance.
  • Each alliance's goal is to score as many basketballs into hoops as possible in the two minute and 15 second match.
  • Taller hoops are worth more points.
  • Alliances are given bonus points if they are balanced on bridges when the match is over.

The event is free to the public. The opening ceremonies will be Friday morning at nine, followed by seeding matches. The competition continues on Saturday with the final rounds and awards ceremony taking place in the afternoon.
More information can be found on the First Robotics Competition website.