BELDEN, Miss. (WTVA) - Seven regional high schools made up of 30 different teams competed in the 2013 Vex Robotics Competition at ICC.
Before the competition begins, each team makes sure the robot they've built at their respective school is in working order.
Jackson, Tennessee, student D'Angelo Miller said, "It's made of steel, nuts and bolts, and gears pretty much."
Once these robots are ready, it's time to compete.
Ashley Brown with ICC said, "They'll move into the arena. They'll form an alliance made of two teams. They won't necessarily be from the same school or area. They'll work together against an opposing alliance which is composed of another two teams."
The students must have a good understanding of not only how to operate the robots but what parts do what and why.
Brown said, "They're learning engineering, math, science and basic mechanical skills. It gives them an avenue into what kind of field they want to move into as a career."
That's exactly why one student from Amory and others like her are excited about being here.
Gabby Haycraft of Amory said, "I'm interested in computers. We have to program the robots off computers, so it goes right along with my future job."
D'Angelo Miller of Jackson, Tennessee, said, "The best part about it is meeting new people and other people who like doing robotics."
The winners at ICC move on to the world finals in California later this year.
