Youth Robotics Club Gears Up for Regionals

Credit: FIRST

(Press Release) (WEST PALM BEACH, FLA) – Local students are not just imagining their future but building it! During the 2024-2025 SUBMERGED season, FIRST LEGO League teams will use creative thinking and LEGO® technology to explore the layers of the ocean and bring their learnings and ideas to the surface as they “sea” into the future. Supported by the Cox Science Center and Aquarium (CSCA) and Stiles Nicholson-Foundation, the Regional FIRST LEGO League is organizing a season of events including scrimmages, qualifiers and the regional championship tournament.

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 The regional championship will be hosted on Saturday, January 18 at the Palm Beach Gardens campus of Palm Beach State College.
 
“We’re thrilled to wrap up another exciting robotics season,” said Kate Arrizza, President and CEO of CSCA. “Each year brings a new set of challenges for students to think creatively and work collaboratively. This year’s SUBMERGED theme dives into the mysteries of our oceans, encouraging students to explore innovative solutions. It’s inspiring to see how these young minds are developing the skills and confidence to be successful leaders in the future.”
 
FIRST is a robotics community that prepares young innovators for the future. As the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education, FIRST has combined the rigor of STEM learning with the excitement of traditional sports and inspiration from the community. Its programs have a proven impact on learning, interest and skill-building.
 
Supporting students throughout FIRST LEGO League competitions is Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), a returning sponsor.
 
“At FPL, we value the importance of offering young students opportunities to delve into STEM fields,” said Pam Rauch, Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development at Florida Power & Light Company. “We are honored to be the presenting sponsor for the SUBMERGED season, which encompasses this year’s Regional Championship happening in January. This competition showcases the remarkable imagination, teamwork, and problem-solving skills these talented students exhibit, and we are excited to witness their achievements firsthand.”
 
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium features more than 80 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon aquarium, a digital planetarium and an outdoor science trail. The Cox Amphitheater hosts daily live science shows, seasonal laser shows and special events. The current traveling exhibit, Dinosaur Safari: A Walk-Through Adventure, will be on display through April 27, 2025. In 2021, the Center announced a $20 million gift from Howard and Wendy Cox, launching a transformative capital expansion campaign. Construction began in May 2024 with completion expected in 2027.General admission is $26 for adults, $22 for children ages 3-12, $24 for seniors ages 60 and up and free for children under 3 and CSCA members.
 
For more information on starting a team or attending one of the competitions as a spectator or a volunteer, visit firstinspires.org or email [email protected].