Coming to the 2013 White Center Jubilee Days (July 13-21) will be new a robotics competition set for July 21, during the community celebration.

It’s the brainstorm of the High Tekerz Robotics (Team 3574). The High Tekerz are a group of junior high and high school age students with a passion for technology and the useful applications of technologies. They belong to FIRST (www.usfirst.org). For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology was founded by Segway creator Dean Kane to promote science and math in American schools.

The competition scheduled for this year’s Jubilee Days is the “Space Elevator”. Based on the scientific concept that a very strong tether bound to the earth and anchored in low earth orbit would allow powered “Elevators” to take humans and needed materials into space for far less money than it takes to send a rocket with the same payloads. This is a concept first espoused in the late 1950’s. But not until the last decade were the technologies available. NASA has been studying the concept for some time now and there is a “Space Elevator” conference held every year in Seattle.

The completion concept is simple- Build a robot that is self powered, can carry a load (satellite), and can climb a 20’ high, 3” wide tether as many time as possible in a five minute time frame.
The field is open to all comers. There will be three categories; Ages up to 8th grade, high school age, and adult teams.

For more information about the completion go to www.jubileedays.org on the Home page click the sign post marked “Space Elevator Race” and follow the links.

The event date is Sunday, July 21 after the parade. Exact time will be announced later.

Even if you don’t compete it will be fun to watch.