I Am Robot: Why Robotics Is Cool in Farmington

In talking with several members of the high school's Team 178 Enforcers robotics team, many conveyed the same message about their experiences with robotics.

Its a place they can go to be themselves.

And on Saturday, they will be helping Farmington children in a younger robotics program be themselves and showcase their technology ideas in the second annual Jr. FIRST Lego League.

Walk into the Enforcers' headquarters and its like stepping into a business. The team has departments, from animation, graphic design, engineering and programming to the archives and marketing.

For the annual FIRST competition, the team is working on a robot that can launch balls into goals to score. But team members can work on whatever they'd like when they come to meetings. In doing so, they're gaining valuable experiences that could prepare them for a job some day in STEM, fitting with a state push for more Connecticut students going into fields involving math, science, technology and engineering.

Jr. LEGO leaguers will demonstrate their ideas for a technological invention and participate in many activities organized by the Enforcers.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Farmington High School. The public is welcome to stop by.