High school robotics teams from Lawrence are participating in this week’s regional competition in Kansas City, Mo.

The inaugural Greater Kansas City Regional FIRST Robotics Competition is today through Saturday in Hale Arena at the American Royal Complex.

Teams from Lawrence and Free State high schools are among the 51 teams from Kansas City area schools that will participate.

Practice rounds will be from 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. today with a break for lunch.

Most of the activity will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The international “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” (FIRST) program is designed to increase knowledge in math, engineering, technology and science, and boost students’ confidence and life skills.

During the competition, short games are played by remote-controlled robots, which are designed and built in six weeks by teams of 10 to 20 students and engineers/mentors.

The event is being sponsored through a $2 million, three-year grant from the Kauffman Foundation.