University Of Tulsa Hosts High School Robotics Competition

The University of Tulsa is hosting students from more than 40 high schools across Green Country for the kickstart of the 2020 robotics competition season.

This morning, teams of students met at the University of Tulsa -- all to build robots.

For Union High School student Affan Habab, it’s also building his future.

"I want to be an aerospace engineer and I learn a lot about the different components, mechanical components and electrical components," said Habab.

The competition season started with the worldwide announcement of this year's theme - Star Wars.

The students were tasked with building a robot to fit the theme in less than 8 weeks. Robots perform tasks like shooting a ball into a net or balancing. Robot inspector Scott Taylor said the process can be difficult.

"I've seen students when they are working on a problem and don't think they can get there -- and then something clicks and that 'ah-ha' moment changes their life," Taylor explained to News On 6.

It's all put on by an international high school robotics organization, called FIRST. Regional Director Melinda Taylor said there is a growing interest in science, technology engineering and math in Oklahoma all thanks to these science-based programs.

"Most of our students actually graduate through an electrical engineering degree, which is more than most of the other states," said Taylor. 

There are even more exciting things to look forward to this completion season, Tulsa is hosting their first Green Country Regional competition this April.