It involves science, math, computer programming, teamwork and game strategy, but most appealing of all, it involves robots.

Fix It is a competitive robotics team based out of Colwood that is looking for new members as they enter into the 2012/13 season. Team members design, build and compete with robots made to complete specific tasks.

Throughout the competition season the team travels to places such as Las Vegas and Seattle to compete with other robotics teams from all over North America. All winnings from competitions come in the form of scholarships.

Christine Nicholls coaches the team, which currently consists of her two children, Katherine and Duncan Silversides, grades 12 and 9, respectively, and Esquimalt high school student Alex Imhels.

B次元官网网址淲ho doesnB次元官网网址檛 like to building and designing robots?B次元官网网址� Duncan said. B次元官网网址淲e also get to travel to a lot of new places and itB次元官网网址檚 always fun seeing what all the other teams have done to solve the same challenges as you.B次元官网网址�

During competition the robots have to complete certain tasks in order to get points. What task the robot must be able to perform changes every year and part of the challenge is designing and building a robot specific to each yearB次元官网网址檚 new task.

This year the competition is based around a tic-tac-toe style game where the robot must be able to pick up plastic rings and hang them on a PVC piping playing board in the middle of the ring.

A team is also judged on robot design and strategy plans. So far the team has come up with a basic design for the robot and is working on a device to have it be able to pick up and manipulate the rings.

A spirit of sportsmanship and co-operation is a staple of the competitions. In tournaments teams are required to ally with other random teams for a part of the contest, and therefore have to learn to work with other teams, capitalizing on strengths and helping each other to improve weaknesses.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of camaraderie because you need to be able to work with your partner effectively to score a point but at the same time compete against those same partners later on,B次元官网网址� Nicholls said.

Last year the Fix It team was the only robotics team in B.C. Two years ago there were four teams in B.C. and the event was expanding, but teacherB次元官网网址檚 job action and other factors reduced the number of teams. This year St. MargaretB次元官网网址檚 school in Saanich is also starting a team, something the Fix It team is helping organize.

Ideally a team has six to eight members performing a variety of tasks. Some control the robots, some are there for technical support, while others are needed to co-ordinate with other teams for allied matches.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just engineering skills that are needed, itB次元官网网址檚 also the social skills,B次元官网网址� Nicholls said.

Specific skills are helpful for anyone interested in joining the team, but theyB次元官网网址檙e not essential. Anyone willing to learn is welcome to attend a couple of meetings in Colwood and decide if itB次元官网网址檚 a good fit.

Any high school-aged students interested can contact the Fix It team by email at fixit3491@gmail.com. Visit www.lego-stormers.com for more information. The first event is at the beginning of December in Seattle. Sponsorships help cover costs for travel, but some costs are involved.