Following their triumph in the Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional Robotics Competition, three student teams from New York and Connecticut will progress to the FIRST Championship scheduled from April 25 to 28 at St. Louis, Missouri.
The winning alliance that represented robot performance on the ground includes Team 20, the Rocketeers of Clifton Park, New York; Team 181, the Birds of Prey from Hartford, Connecticut; and Team 195, the Cyber Knights of Southington of Connecticut. In addition, several teams received honor awards for their design excellence, sportsmanship, competitive play, and partnerships with communities and businesses.
The two-day, 18th annual regional competition was conducted between March 30 and 31 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. The competition included students from 64 high schools belonging to six states. Prior to participating in the event, the student teams underwent a six-week long project that included constructing and designing robots for the competition. The robots, designed using a common kit consisting of parts and a standard set of rules, were programmed and controlled for competing in a basketball game. In this game, the robots were expected to target shooting balls into four baskets elevated on different heights.
The competition’s most coveted award, Regional Chairman’s Award was awarded to Team 694, StuyPulse of New York. The award now qualifies the Team 694 to participate in the FIRST Championship’s national level, scheduled to take place in three-week time.
FIRST participants can avail $14 M scholarships from established colleges, universities, and companies. Over the years, students’ outlook in science, math, and their interest for science and engineering has been improving through FIRST.