VEX Robotics Nationals are this weekend. Final day tomorrow Sunday.

Vex is a standardised robotics kit platform used for education and fun. Teams comprise a programmer, driver, co-driver, builder and other functions. Competition can be very close due to chance and malfunctions on the day.

If you looking for something to do with your kids tomorrow it is interesting stuff and entry is free.

This year teams have created robots to compete in picking up bean bags and dropping them on a shelf in a table top arena. It sounds simple but it is a complex task with interesting rule variations and gotchas. The team format develops many different skills.

There are many sponsorship opportunities available. Nearly every school would like to compete and sponsorship and mentoring can make a big difference to get more schools involved. Existing teams can always use a boost as well.

http://www.vexrobotics.co.nz/events/nationals
http://www.pacific.org.nz/events/new-zealand-vex-robotics-nationals-2013-2013-03-03/
http://goo.gl/maps/dXqyh

Ask someone to explain the rules when you get there. It is a friendly environment and there is a fair bit of time for chats between matches with rebuilds and trial runs going on etc.

There is no food onsite this year but plenty of choice with Domino's, cafe, takeaway & food hall all within 100 meters of the venue. Held at Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre, the big upturned waka thing near the Manukau exit.