Anticipation was heavy in the air as the team worked their hardest to make the bucket as the announcer began the five second count down...could their robot make the shot in time?
This was scene at the UIC Pavilion on Saturday where 52 high school robotics teams are competing in this year’s Midwest Regional FIRST Robotics Competition.
In addition to an appearance by Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard, 13 teams are representing CPS in the event this year.
The theme for the competition was "Rebound Rumble" and all student-built robots had to be able to move across the court, pick up balls, and shoot hoops.
Students from Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas competed against each other in what organizers dubbed "March Madness Style Competition."
So if those brackets are completely dead going into the Elite Eight portion of the NCAA Tournament, UIC may be a good place to recharge.
The competition runs until 4:00 p.m.
