A group of young robotics fanatics are busy fundraising for their first international competition.
The Waikite Valley School Lego League finished third in their third competition in Auckland last year, making them eligible for the international competition.
In May the group will compete at the Lego League Legoland California International Open.
The tournament sees the group compete in four areas: robotics, where the group programmes a robot to complete tasks, a project around a theme and problem, general problem solving, and robot design.
At the national tournament the theme was hydro dynamics, or to do with water.
In preparation the team visited Rotorua Lakes Council, said team member Toby Stubbs, 12.
"We went to council and talked to them about out waterways. They showed us how they have their own water system … they showed us the filters and what they do to empty them and look after the water."
After the visit the team designed its own water filter using new-found knowledge.
Rachel Tague, 12, said the team was working to improve the project in preparation for the tournament.
"It's really fun and good for team work and it's a really good experience," she said.
Team coach Andy Topp said the team was continuing to learn a lot in the lead up to the trip.
"We've learned a lot along the way. They're a good group which works well together. They've gone through a lot of leadership and that's come out in their team work and ability to work together," Topp said.
Topp estimated the trip would cost around $17,000 and the group was fundraising.
At the competition in Legoland the team will compete against about 80 international teams.
Reg Vanner, 12, said the group was excited.
"The experience of going overseas and having a competition with teams from all over the world. It's quite overwhelming," he said.
He said the work he did in the Lego league was a good insight into future career possibilities.
"It's good because it's becoming more like real life and that's what it's coming to. It's a good insight into possible careers and we get to learn about team work. There's lots we get out of it."
Joining Rachel, Reg and Toby will be Waikite Valley School graduate Daniel Muller, 13, who was part of the team last year.
Reg said the trip was "a big sum for a little community" and wanted to encourage people to donate.
The tournament starts on May 18 and the group was also looking forward to looking around the theme park it's set at.