Spring Arbor University’s McDonald Athletic Center (MAC) will host 39 teams from around the state, 9 of which are from Jackson, at the FIRST Robotics Competition this Friday and Saturday.  This will be the second time in three years that SAU has hosted the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics event.

Consumers Energy’s Vice President of Operations Performance, Chris Winiewski will lead the competitions opening ceremony on Friday morning.  Dr. Brent Ellis, President of SAU, and Tamara J Faber, Vice President, Technology and Chief Digital Officer of Consumers Energy, will deliver Saturday’s keynote address.

“Consumers Energy proudly supports FIRST Robotics to ensure Michigan’s brightest minds have a rich STEM experience.  STEM talent largely powers our company – our pledge for net zero natural gas emissions by 2050, our clean energy transformation, and our goal to power one million electric vehicles by 2030 – so this is a natural fit for us,” Faber said.  “Michigan is leading the way for robotics and these students are driving us into the future – one robot at a time!”

The competition consists of three rounds, the first being “RAPID REACT” (presented by Boeing) where teams will compete in alliances.  The initial round will be followed by “Autonomous Mode” which showcases what each team’s robot is pre-programmed to do.  Finally, the competition will cap off with “Teleoperated Mode,” where drivers take control of their robots.

This event is open to the public, but FIRST in Michigan requires volunteers and attendees to wear a mask at all times.

To find out more about this event, visit: http://firstinmichigan.us/FRC/jackson/