Dozens of robots gathered at Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center in late March with their high school creators, competing in Virginia's largest youth robotics tournament. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, VirginiaFIRST held its annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, inviting students from high schools all over the Atlantic coast to compete in the "varsity sport of the mind," with all the flash of an NCAA sporting event. Teams composed of either single or combined high schools had students in their respective robotics clubs making highly sophisticated robots for this year's game. The student-constructed robots can be up to 120 pounds and 5 feet tall, built with no assembly instructions and only minor assistance from team mentors.

A bill to delay and possibly change the proposed A-F grading scale for public schools is making its way through the General Assembly. The House of Delegates Education Committee approved a bill last week that would delay implementation of the A-F school grading system that ranks schools based on SOL performance. A school that gets an "A" receives full accreditation and a school that receives an "F" can lose accreditation.

The House Education Committee approved a bill delaying the implementation of a new grading system for schools this past week, but some delegates are questioning if the new system meets the needs of Virginia schools, parents and communities. This past November, the State Board of Education approved a new A-to-F grading system for individual state schools to supplement the current accreditation system.

Student athletes in youth sports programs could be included under new concussion policies if a bill seeking to add guidelines for non-interscholastic teams passes. House Bill 410 patron Delegate Richard Anderson, R-Woodbridge, said the bill was introduced in memory of Austin Trenum, a student from Brenstville High School in Prince William County.

Legislation protecting Virginians reporting drug overdoses was introduced earlier this month after years of lobbying by a Virginia Commonwealth University student organization, but the bill will have to wait to be heard during next year's General Assembly. Students for Sensible Drug Policy was the VCU group instrumental in helping introduce House Bill 557, Safe Reporting of Overdoses. The legislation sought to provide limited legal amnesty to anyone reporting a drug overdose.

The Virginia House subcommittee tabled a measure that would have banned conversion or "ex-gay" therapy programs for minors, on a 4 to 1 party line vote early Thursday Morning. The American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association are among the organizations condemning gay conversion therapy.

Virginia Senate legislation designed to give in-state tuition to undocumented childhood arrivals was defeated last week by a Health and Education Committee vote of 6-7. Senate Bill 249, patroned by Sen. Donald McEachin (D-Richmond) and known as the Virginia DREAM Act, sparked heated rhetoric on whether state or federal legislators should be held responsible for immigration-related measures.

The Senate bills -- SB617 and SB618 -- introduced by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton -- passed on party-line votes a week after Democrats took Senate control and reorganized several committees, including Health and Education. The issue has the state legislature split, as both measures attempt to overturn laws that were passed in 2012 and 2013 under a Republican-controlled General Assembly.

The Senate bills -- SB617 and SB618 -- introduced by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton -- passed on party-line votes a week after Democrats took Senate control and reorganized several committees, including Health and Education. The issue has the state legislature split, as both measures attempt to overturn laws that were passed in 2012 and 2013 under a Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Two abortion-related bills were passed this past week by The Virginia Health and Education Senate Committee a day after the House of Delegates struck down a pair of identical measures in committee. The issue has the state legislature split, as both measures attempt to overturn laws that were passed in 2012 and 2013 under a Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Two abortion-related bills were passed this past week by The Virginia Health and Education Senate Committee a day after the House of Delegates struck down a pair of identical measures in committee. The issue has the state legislature split, as both measures attempt to overturn laws that were passed in 2012 and 2013 under a Republican-controlled General Assembly.