The Weatherly Institute for Robotics and Engineering (W.I.R.E.), a nonprofit organization that provides robotics and engineering technology education to children and young adults, has announced the formation of Robotics Competition Teams for

W.I.R.E. and its affiliate chapter, the Hazleton Institute for Robotics and Engineering,

H.I.R.E.These teams will involve 9-14 year olds for the FIRST Lego league Competition and late middle school through high school aged youths for the FIRST Tech Challenge Competition, to be held at a date to be determined during the 2013-2014 school year.The Weatherly Institute for Robotics and Engineering and The Hazleton Institute for Robotics and Engineering serves students from Drums, Sugarloaf, Hazleton, West Hazleton, the Weatherly Area, Jim Thorpe, Nesquehoning and Lehighton. However, any students who can make it to the meetings are welcome."Students interested in pursuing science or engineering in college would be well served to show these types of competitions on their resumes," said Stephen Goodale, executive director of the Institute. "Many public schools are not making it easy, or even possible, for students to get involved in these competitions. We serve to open up these opportunities to more students."The program is free and there are no fees of any kind to attend. The institute does accept donations and is currently seeking corporate sponsors.About The Weatherly Institute for Robotics and Engineering:WIRE was built on a solid foundation laid down over the years by the Weatherly Robotics Club, an organization that has led student competitors in the first robotic competition for five years. The organization is a growing group of youths, young adults, and adult mentors that subscribe to the philosophy of gracious professionalism and the teaching of robotics and engineering technology for younger children and young adults.It has created a safe, non-violent, program that allows children of all ages to come and learn about the sciences and to express their own creativity while learning new skills. WIRE is a nonprofit organization that does accept donations willingly and greatly appreciates them.Find out more about the organization on the website at

www.weatherlyrobotics.org.