Six teams from Hawai'i high schools will bring their ball-tossing robots to Atlanta this weekend to compete in the finals of a national robotics competition.

They'll battle in a field of 343 teams as their robots try to do a better job completing their task than opposing teams.

This year's challenge was to build robots that race along a track as they lift balls over a set of monkey bars. The competition begins Friday.

Gov. Linda Lingle will attend the event after the Islands held their regional qualifying event last month for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition.

"These students are gaining valuable skills and experiences that will enhance their ability to be innovative in how they approach the challenges and opportunities in their own future and the future of our state," said Lingle, who is emphasizing technology education in an effort to diversify the state's economy.

Lingle became interested in robotics education when she met with Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST and inventor of the Segway, during a trip to New Hampshire in early 2007. This will be her first trip to a robotics competition outside Hawai'i.

The teams built their robots in a six-week timeframe using a standard set of parts.

The number of Hawai'i high schools competing in FIRST Robotics increased from four teams last year to 25 teams this year.

Three of Hawai'i's entrants — Radford, Honoka'a and Waialua high schools — qualified for the nationals at the Hawai'i Regional. Three others — Waiakea and McKinley high school and Sacred Hearts Academy — qualified at regional competitions on the Mainland.

Iolani School will compete in a separate competition at the Georgia Dome, the FIRST LEGO League Power Puzzle World Championship.