Get ready for the robot rumble! Twenty-three teams of fourth- through eighth-grade Los Altos area students will run their robots against each other in tuneup scrimmages for the sixth annual Los Altos Robotics FIRST LEGO League qualifying tournament.

The public is invited to watch the fun, cheer the teams on and consider being part of a Los Altos Robotics FIRST LEGO League team next season.

FLL is a program of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and Lego Mindstorms. This program introduces children ages 9-14 to the wonders of science, engineering and technology in a fun and engaging way.

The teams design, build and program autonomous robots using the Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System. They run the robots on a 4-foot-by-8-foot challenge board with structures made of Lego pieces.

This year’s worldwide theme, “Ocean Odyssey.” investigates ways robots can be used to meet the challenges of maintaining our oceans’ health, biodiversity and productivity.

The tuneup scrimmages are scheduled for 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the Covington Elementary and Oak Avenue schools’ multipurpose rooms. The tournament is scheduled for 1:15-5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in the same locations.

For more information, visit www.LosAltosRobotics.Org or contact Michael Schuh at Michael@LosAltosRobotics.Org or 965-8037.