Several teams of young, creative kids are preparing to battle it out – and learn – with robots.

Tennessee Tech University will host the FIRST LEGO League East Tennessee Championship this weekend.

FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.”

Nearly 50 teams from Johnson City, Tullahoma, Nashville and Knoxville entered the competition, which is Saturday, February 9.

Teams are made up of kids ages 9 to 14 using LEGO blocks to build an autonomous robot and then facing off in completing tasks centered around a space theme.

Winners from this event will advance to the FIRST LEGO League Championship in Houston.