Nine students part of Hornet Engineering and Technology (H.E.A.T) are preparing for The World Vex Robotics Competition in April 23to the 26 in Anaheim, Calif.

“If you break it down very simply, we build robots and then make them do certain tasks,” sophomore Sarah Anderson said. “If they complete the tasks we get a certain number of points.”

First in the state in Vex Robotics Competition, three high school teams and one from Bryant Middle School competed in the elimination round.

“Bryant teams only lost to other Bryant teams,” Engineering teacher John Williams said. “It was a great showing for our district last year. We are the school to beat in Vex Robotics of Arkansas.”

This is only the second year the school will be represented at the World Vex Robotics Competition.

“Last year there were 420 high school teams from 25 countries,” Williams said.

The engineering teams plans to leave late Thursday April 23.

“It cost about $400 per kid, and about half our team is coming, so about nine kids,” sophomore Rex Hearn said. “The rest of the team is staying behind to work on the Go-Kart we are working with EAST to create.”

Many corporations such as Entergy, James Cone Construction and Northside Central Cooling and Heating will sponsor the team to cover much of the costs.

“I’m not aware of any substantial prizes for the winners apart from oversized trophies and serious bragging rights,” Williams said. “But that’s enough.”