Thousands of students and more than 140 teams competed at this weekend’s FIRST Robotics Competition at Auburn Mountainview HIgh School.

With the changing global marketplace and the mandate that tomorrow’s workers have STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills to compete, STEM education is vital to make sure the next generation of Washington’s workforce are prepared for those jobs. How will these young people gain the skills needed?

FIRST Washington is helping to prepare tomorrow’s workforce today through the FIRST programs, which promote STEM interest and knowledge. FIRST Washington has partnered with Western Washington schools to host FIRST Robotics Competition, ages 14-18, in this season’s game, “FIRST Steamworks.”

The 143 teams competing were introduced in January to this season’s game, FIRST Steamworks. They have had six weeks to design, build and program their robots to meet this year’s engineering challenge.

The free event, open to the public, is dubbed a varsity Sport for the Mind TM. The FIRST Robotics Competition combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.

“Working together and with their mentors leading up to the robotics competitions, these students are learning much more than STEM skills. They’re learning about communication, collaboration, innovation, and problem solving – skills that are needed in companies and communities across the Northwest,” said Conrad Ball, FIRST Washington board member and director, enterprise engineering, The Boeing Co.

For more information on FIRST Washington or to find out how to get involved, please go to firstwa.org.