Wheeling Park High School Iron Patriots Mark 1 members Christopher Alkhouri, left, Will Fuller, and Ethan Matz accomplice with Triadelphia Middle School Robo-Raiders group members Nick Franke, Carson Rich, and Sebastian Molina at a current Vex Robotics occasion. (Photo offered)

TRIADELPHIA — About 1,000 robotics college students with their coaches and chaperones are anticipated to roll into The Highlands Sports Complex subsequent month for a regional match that might land them on the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas subsequent spring.

Preparations are occurring now for the “Gateway To The West” regional match in Ohio County, chosen by VEX Robotics as a website for one among 26 “signature events” the place opponents could qualify for the world championships. There are 21 related regional occasions occurring all through the U.S., with the opposite 5 scheduled for different international locations.

Middle college groups are scheduled to compete on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at The Highlands Sports Complex, with the highschool groups showcased Feb. 2-3.

Eighty center college groups and a further 80 highschool groups are anticipated to attend the four-day robotics competitors, for a complete of 160 groups, defined JoJo Shay, innovation coordinator for Ohio County Schools. Most groups may have at the very least 4 group members, in addition to a coach and chaperones that accompany them.

That means about 1,000 or extra individuals are anticipated at The Highlands and Ohio County for the match.

Shay experiences up to now 79 highschool robotics groups are entered for the 80 spots accessible within the match, and that 60 of the 80 center college spots have been stuffed.

Registrations will likely be accepted till the day of the occasion or till all spots are stuffed, she mentioned.

Teams already signed up for the competitors are coming from 15 completely different states, in addition to Canada, in line with Shay. There would be the Ohio County groups, in addition to others from Marshall County, Morgantown, Ravenswood and Charleston in West Virginia.

There are additionally groups entered from the Pittsburgh and Akron areas, she mentioned.

“It’s a nice number,” she mentioned. “We’re very excited.”

Meanwhile, work is true now occurring behind the scenes to organize the signage and group items wanted for the match, in line with Shay. Main sponsors have been secured to pay for this stuff.

“There are registration fees the teams pay, but we also want to make sure we put on a good event,” Shay mentioned.

Main sponsors embrace the West Virginia Department of Education, in addition to two contractors lively with Ohio County Schools throughout current property enchancment initiatives — M&G Architects and Siemens.

“We’re excited they are willing to support our program and our students,” Shay mentioned.

She mentioned about 40 volunteers will likely be wanted to assist with the match. Mostly, they are going to be charged with accumulating from opponents the notebooks on their initiatives they’re required to submit as a part of the competitors, she defined.

The West Virginia Robotics Alliance, in the meantime, will function referees and judges overseeing the match.

Shay and county officers not too long ago met with representatives of the alliance to tour The Highlands Sports Complex in preparation for the match.

“They were amazed,” Shay mentioned. “The facility has everything to cover whatever needs they might have.”

The final two years have seen Ohio County robotics groups win the West Virginia robotics championship and routinely qualify for the world championships.

Boosters subsequent got here ahead to lift the cash wanted to ship them to Texas.

“The community has supported this program over the years,” Shay continued. “Now we’re excited to have this event to allow students who don’t get to go to worlds experience a signature event. This will also bring people to the area and help us celebrate the area. It’s a way to give back for all the support we’ve received.”