AFRL sponsors Ohio Regional Mini-Urban Challenge

  • Published
  • By Gina Giardina
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
High school students from all over Ohio will battle it out using self-designed autonomous vehicles during the Mini-Urban Challenge April 11 at the McLin Gym at the Wright State University Nutter Center. 

The competition, sponsored by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory and the Doolittle Institute, is designed to foster interest and excitement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math among high school students--especially those who haven't considered pursuing a technical undergraduate degree.

The Mini-Urban Challenge challenges high school students to work in teams of 3-10 students to design and operate a robotic car to autonomously navigate a model city.  The cars are developed using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education kits, which are provided to high school teams free of charge.

"Fewer than 6 percent of high school seniors plan to pursue engineering degrees," said Capt. Alexander Rowton, an Ohio Regional coordinator. "And over the next 18 months, 27 percent of the engineering work force will be eligible for retirement.  In order to curb the foreseeable drop in our technical workforce, initiatives like the Mini-Urban Challenge must be put in place."

In conjunction with spurring interest in STEM fields, the competition also provides students experience in collaboration, project management, problem solving, team building and time management.

The winning teams, chosen by volunteers mostly from AFRL, will be invited to compete for the National Title May 15-16 at the Tampa Civic Center in Tampa, Florida.

Further information can be found at http://miniurbanchallenge.com.