Adams Central High School students have been busy the past six weeks building a basketball shooting robot.

"It was a huge undertaking, but the more we got into it and the more we researched it I thought it would be something that would be really good for the kids," said Adams Central teacher Tim Schirmer.

Schirmer says the build is part of a nation-wide program called FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Adams Central is the only school in Nebraska taking part.

Freshman Michael Demaggio helps operate the robot that's designed to drive around the court, pick up balls, then shoot them.

"I've always been a computer guy, so I've liked engineering and robotics and all that stuff and then I got offered to take a spot on the team and I was like well sure, why not?" said Demaggio.

Schirmer says that's the goal of FIRST - to get kids interested in science and technology.

"Engineering is one of those areas where we just don't put out that many [workers] in the United States, they all come from other countries," he said.

Demaggio says helping program the robot has made him want to be even more involved in those types of projects.

"I definitely could see myself doing this as a career," he said.

Schirmer says the building and programming process means learning outside of the classroom.

"To be able to apply it in a real world situation is very very important and I think that's one thing that this FIRST organization does," he said. "It's a great way to apply those math and science skills."

Schirmer says if things keep going well they're hoping to get more FIRST programs involved with younger students in the Adams Central district too. He says JC Penney in Grand Island gave them a grant to cover the cost of parts and their competition entry fee this first year. Students will take the robot to Kansas City for a regional competition in March where it will battle against other basketball shooting robots built by other schools.