High Schoolers Try to Build a Better Robot

Robots built by high school students are battling it out in a competition at the University of Pittsburgh. The enclosed clear plastic box where the robots compete is reminiscent of the television show "BattleBots"--but these robots aren't trying to destroy each other. Instead, they're competing to race around the track as many times as possible. They also get extra points if they can knock off what look like large beach balls perched on a scaffolding overhead. The robots also score by carrying or pushing the balls around the track. The competition's regional director says it's kind of like a combination of NASCAR and soccer.

The FIRST robot competition is also aimed at developing the innovators of the future. The winning team here will go on to compete at a national event in Atlanta. Winners are often offered scholarships.