Sept. 26 is robotics challenge

Staff report

WARREN

The Northeast Ohio FIRST Robotics Alliance reported that the 2015 Mahoning Valley Robotics Challenge high-school robotics competition is set for Sept. 26 at Warren G. Harding High School, 860 Elm Road NE.

The action will take place in the main gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The MVRC is free and open to the public. Concessions will be available and proceeds will help fund NEOFRA robotics competitions.

NEOFRA is hosting a charity food drive at the MVRC to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley.

Spectators are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items and drop them off at the food donation table upon arrival. The most-needed food items are peanut butter, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, tuna fish, dry pasta and macaroni and cheese.

FIRST robotics teams from Warren G. Harding, Girard, Champion, Austintown Fitch, Canfield, Cardinal Mooney and Hubbard high schools will be a part of a 24-team field that includes additional teams from across Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.

This is the only Mahoning Valley event to showcase these robots competing on a regulation playing field.

The 2015 MVRC is sponsored by LED3, Vallourec Star, the Youngstown State University College of STEM and Warren City Schools.

For information about sponsoring local FIRST robotics teams or NEOFRA robotics competitions, stop by the Event Information Table in the concessions area to pick up handouts, ask questions of event staff or arrange a tour of the competition and pit areas.