Sports and engineering collide for the start of the VEX Robotics Championships of the Americas. Students from across the country are competing for the right to be number one.

It brought together some of the best young minds around, putting their engineering skills to the test.

"It's kind of shocking at first. Before, you are kind of in this high school gym and now you're in this convention center in front of the world; it's amazing,” says Tyler Rosonke.

Tyler Rosonke and his Papillion La Cista teammates are already heading to the World Finals in Dallas, but Friday, they faced some stiff competition: teams who are not afraid to put in some extra work.

"We go to our lab everyday after school for two to three hours. Sometimes we go even eight or nine hours, sometimes practicing on weekends," says John Mueller of Bellarmine Prep out of San Jose, CA.

About 75 teams made the trip form cities all across the United States, both middle schoolers and high school students.

Savannah Palacio is from St Lukes in Los Angeles. She says, "It's time consuming, but it's really fun because not many people do it. So it's something you can be proud of and say yeah, I'm in Robotics."

In the pit, the kids from Sahaurita High School in Arizona are busy making last minute tune ups.

"You got to keep up you know, got to keep fixing every little thing [so] you can prevent problems. Double check everything," says Carlos Martinez.

Back on the floor, the audience is treated to a battle and parents get a possible glimpse into their child's future.

"Without a doubt he will be going into technology of some form; it's a building block for other things," says Roger Schmeits.

Put on by the Create Foundation, the robotics program is designed to inspire the youth of today to become the engineers and scientists of tomorrow. But by the looks of things, they have arrived.

"It's getting me interested. I'm looking into certain things that involve robotics, like engineering," says Palacio.

The finals are set for 4:30 Saturday afternoon at the Salvation Army Kroc Center at 28th and Y. We're all invited to go out and cheer on the teams.

The world championships will be held in Dallas in late April.