The Lindbergh High School robotics team has made it all the way to the upcoming 2012 FIRST Robotics Seattle Regional competition at CenturyLink Field Events Center in Seattle.

Lindbergh students will compete starting between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., March 23.

FIRST stands for “for inspiration and recognition of science and technology.” It was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people to have an appreciation for science and technology.

The Lindbergh students call their robot “Air Ball” and it will compete with 100 other robots from schools across the region to qualify for the national FIRST Robotics Championships in St. Louis.

Students must compete in a 3-on-3 robot basketball game. In one game, the robots shoot basketballs in an “autonomous” period, where robots are pre-programmed to play basketball without being controlled by humans. Students had to build their robots in just six weeks.

Community members are invited to cheer on the Lindbergh team March 23 and 24. CenturyLink Field Event Center is at 800 Occidental Ave. S. in Seattle.