ALPENA – Creativity and engineering are coming full circle on “Pi Day” as the Alpena Area Brick Build Competition returns for its fourth year on March 14.

Hosted by the Underwater Research Robotics (UR2) team from Alpena High School, the event will take place at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Brick Build competition is open to all school-aged students, and there is no required theme for entries. There will be three competitive divisions, each with prizes for the winners. Contestants must register on the STARBASE Alpena website by March 7. Completed entries with a short description may be dropped off at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W Fletcher Street in Alpena, during regular business hours on March 12 or 13.

On March 14, the public is welcome to view all entries on display. Visitors are encouraged not only to “circle” the displays but also to jump in and build! A family-friendly build area will be set up in the education room from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., stocked with bricks for hands-on creativity and inspiration. This activity is not supervised childcare; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Members of the UR2 team will also be on site with displays from their underwater robotics program. Come meet the team and learn how when UR2 meets πr2, no area will be left unexplored.

Winners will be posted at 2 p.m., and prizes will be available for pickup.

For more information, including registration details, rules, and judging rubrics, please visit the STARBASE Alpena website at starbasealpena.org.