VEX Robotics World Qualifying Championship - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

TOPPENISH, Wash.--Excited students filled Toppenish's Middle School gymnasium with the hopes of qualifying for the VEX Robotics World Championship.

Saturday was the start of the state competition. Over 20 middle school and 30 high school teams designed a robot that could pick up sacks and move them.

Students said making their robots has taught them patience, hard work and other valuable skills they can apply to their future.
   
"This has pretty much been a really good experience to see what the technology is," said a participant.

The goal is to have the robots move as many sacks as possible within a time period.

Top teams will move on to the world championship, which takes place in Anaheim, California in April.

GEAR UP provides funding for 14 school districts to participate in the VEX Robotics program.