Volunteers are needed to help staff two regional robotics championships for middle and high school students hosted by Missouri University of Science and Technology in February.

VEX Robotics will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, and the FIRST Robotics State Championship will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, both in the Gale Bullman Building, located at the corner of 10th Street and Bishop Avenue (U.S. Highway 63) in Rolla. The events are expected to bring hundreds of visitors to the Missouri S&T campus.

VEX Robotics will require approximately 50 volunteers for positions such as referees, judges, inspectors, set-up and clean-up crews and crowd control. All positions will receive training the day of the event. To volunteer for VEX Robotics, email Linda Bright at brightlj@mst.edu.

FIRST Robotics will require over 100 volunteers for many positions, though some jobs may require further online training. All volunteers must register online at firstinspires.org.

Both events provide hands-on opportunities to help engage young people and maintain their interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning. Competitive robotics encourages life skills like teamwork, communication and project-based organization.

For more information, contact Bright, Missouri S&T’s Project Lead The Way associate director, at 573-341-4279.