EASLEY — Easley High School is bracing for a robot invasion this weekend, as it prepares to host the South Carolina FIRST LEGO League West State Championship.

Approximately 400 students from 55 teams across the western half of the state will descend on EHS on Saturday morning to test their robotics skills against each other.

The theme of this year’s championship is “Trash Trek,” and students will design, build, and program their robots to complete missions involving trash and recycling.

“The skills that students learn here can be applied to careers in mechanical engineering, computer science, environmental engineering, and even communications,” said Dr. Brian Richard, coordinator of Career & Technical Education for the School District of Pickens County. “These are students’ first steps into a larger world.”

Pickens County will be represented by a team of students from Gettys Middle School, coached by Jonathan Scrivner, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teacher at GMS.

Students will compete in the “Trash Trek” Robot Game, and they will be judged on Robot Design, Projects, and Core Values.

FIRST LEGO League grants awards to teams for excelling in a diverse set of skills including Programming, Strategy & Innovation, Robot Performance, Research, Innovative Solutions, Presentation, Inspiration, Teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism.

FLL encourages students not only to develop their academic skills, but also to treat their teammates and competitors with respect. The tournament champion will be invited to compete at the FLL Razorback Invitational at the University of Arkansas in May.

The Opening Ceremony will be held at 8:45 a.m. The Robot Performance competitions will be held in the EHS gymnasium from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Robot Performance Competitions are open to the public. The Closing Ceremony will begin at 4:45 p.m.

Easley High School is located at 154 Green Wave Boulevard in Easley.

Staff Report