A new class of roboteers

Programming and building machines for the upcoming RoboRAVE competition is helping to drive youngsters' interest in STEM careers, Xing Wen reports.

Inside the rectangular "arena", marked by black and white lines, the robot, swaying while moving, attempts to approach a lit candle and extinguish it without contact.

The children squatting around the perimeter hold their breath and narrowly fix their eyes on each movement of the robot they've designed, built and programmed.