One hundred and twenty teams of 9- to 14-year-olds will converge at Iowa State on Saturday with one thing on their minds: trash.

The teams have been working for months on tackling problems related to the world’s trash epidemic. They have to think like engineers in order to solve problems, in part by using a programable Lego robot.

Last year, 72 teams came to the state championship in Ames. This year, the event has been expanded to two days in an effort to welcome more teams to the competition. This weekend, 60 teams will compete Saturday and another 60 will compete Sunday.

Winners have the chance to move forward in the competition, eventually having the opportunity to compete in international competitions.

Some of the tasks that competitors will have to program their robot to do are recycling materials and restoring an old car. 

The event will take place in Howe and Hoover Halls and is open and free to the public. For those who cannot attend, event organizers have set up a live webcam in order to view the competition remotely. 

Opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m Saturday in the Howe Hall atrium.