Students from across Alabama gathered at the Bryant Conference Center at The University of Alabama for the 15th annual Alabama Robotics Competition, a hands-on event designed to promote computer science and autonomous programming skills among K-12 students.
Hosted by the Styslinger College of Engineering and the Department of Computer Science, the competition is open to all Alabama students in grades fourth through 12th. Teams of two to five students work together to program autonomous robots to complete a series of obstacle courses.
Dr. Jeff Gray, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science and contest administrator, said, “Our goal is to provide K-12 students with an opportunity to collaborate in a team environment to program an autonomous robot to solve three ‘puzzles’ represented by physical playing surfaces.”
Teams competed over a three-hour period, navigating three obstacle courses using robots they assembled and computers they brought to the event. Programs could be written in a variety of languages, including Java, C#, RobotC and LabVIEW. Organizers said the autonomous format emphasizes problem-solving, computational thinking and collaboration rather than remote-controlled operation.
The contest reached capacity again this year with 60 teams participating, totaling approximately 300 students. An additional 300 parents and teachers attended. Participants represented 36 schools across Alabama, from Huntsville to Gulf Shores, reflecting a wide mix of public, private and community-based programs.
Prizes and trophies were awarded to the top four teams in each division, recognizing performance across elementary, middle and high school levels.
This year’s theme, “Frustrated Fowl,” was inspired by Angry Birds and challenged students to complete themed obstacle course puzzles within the timed competition window.
Organizers said the competition continues to serve as an introduction to computer science and engineering pathways, with some past participants later pursuing studies at UA.
“The main highlight is the community that has been built and the connections to the schools and teachers that continue to collaborate in many ways even beyond the contest,” Gray said. He also noted the event’s growth from fewer than a dozen teams in its early years to now filling the Bryant Conference Center, one of the largest indoor venues in West Alabama.
Established in 2011, the Alabama Robotics Competition continues to provide students with hands-on experience in programming, teamwork and engineering design.
More information about the competition and contest results can be found at https://outreach.cs.ua.edu/robotics-contest/.