More than a thousand Western Washington high school students battle it out this weekend in the final FIRST Washington Robotics Competition of the season.

The high-energy, intense competition runs Friday through Sunday at the school, 711 E. Main St. The top teams from the tournament will advance to the Pacific Northwest District Championship at Eastern Washington University next week.

Dubbed the “Varsity Sport of the Mind, FIRST Robotics Competition is for young people grades nine through 12. Under strict rules, limited resources and time limits, teams comprised of 28 students are challenged to raise funds, design a team brand, work on team-building skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors.

Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team, in circumstances designed to replicate real-world engineering.

The 38 teams competing have had since January to prepare for the weekend’s competition. The free event is open to the public.

“Robotics is the most user-friendly form of teaching and inspiring young people on STEM – science, technology, engineering and math skills,” said Erin McCallum, president of FIRST Washington. “That being said, FIRST is so much more than robots: Participants are integrated into a great learning environment created to encourage their interests, teach the benefits of collaboration, boost self-confidence and illuminate the world of STEM study and careers.”

For more information, visit firstwa.org.