Greater Pittsburgh Regional FIRST® Robotics Competition 
March 16-18
Cal U Convocation Center
Gear-driven “airships” from the age of steam set the tone for this year’s Greater Pittsburgh Regional FIRST® Robotics Competition.
Nearly 1,000 students are expected to take part in this year’s game, FIRST STEAMWORKS.
Teams from eight states, including Hawaii, will drive their robots across the playing field March 16-18 in the Cal U Convocation Center. Two teams from China are among the 40 competitors registered.
See the list of registered teams
California University of Pennsylvania welcomes the public to this family-friendly event. Admission to the Convocation Center is free.
- March 16: Noon-6:30 p.m., robot inspections and practice matches.
- March 17: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., qualifying matches.
- March 18: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., qualifying matches and alliances (a.m.), followed by elimination rounds and finals.
Parking is available on campus, and food can be purchased.
About the competition
FIRST Robotics builds skills in science, technology, engineering and math, while encouraging innovation and teamwork.
Each year, FIRST Robotics teams face a new challenge designed to test their robots and entertain robotics fans. Each team begins with an identical “kit of parts,” then works with adult mentors to design, build, program and test their robots over a span of six weeks.
Students also create mascots and promotional materials to support the team and create excitement at the competition site.
Cal U is hosting the FIRST Robotics Greater Pittsburgh Regional competition for the fourth consecutive year.
About the STEAMWORKS game
This year’s challenge takes its cue from the era of steam-powered technology. In STEAMWORKS, three-team alliances, called “adventure clubs,” work together to prepare their “airships” for a long-distance race.
Operating autonomously at first, and then under the control of student drivers, the robots:
- Feed fuel (balls) into the airships’ boilers.
- Deliver gears to the airship pilots.
- Latch onto the airship in time for “takeoff.”
Teams receive awards not only for their on-field success, but also for the design, engineering, business savvy and presentation skills they demonstrate to the FIRST Robotics judges.