By Renee Ong
Sentinel Contributor
FTC Gator Bowl, Greenwich Academy’s Connecticut State Qualifier for the FIRST Tech Challenge, transformed the school into a hub of electrifying commotion on Feb. 6.
To those who may be unfamiliar with the FIRST robotics program, it’s a non-profit public charity engagement program that aims to inspire young people to pursue their interests in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). FTC, or First Tech Challenge, is one such program under FIRST that allows students from grades 7 to 12 to build, design, and compete with an 18-by-18-by-18 inch robot while practicing many essential skills such as branding, marketing, raising funds, and reaching out to the larger community.
The robot challenge this year, called “FIRST RES-Q,” is modeled after mountain rescue situations. During gameplay, two alliances of two robots each score points by completing tasks—points are awarded based on the relative difficulty of each task. The centerpieces of this year’s challenge are the almost five-foot-tall “mountains” located on two corners of the field itself, around which multiple tasks are centered.
The first 30 seconds of the game, also known as “autonomous period,” is perhaps the most challenging period of the game; the robot must be pre-programmed to complete tasks without any external human guidance.
During next the 90 seconds, called “teleop period,” points are scored in a variety of ways, such as dumping field “debris” (blocks and balls) into baskets located on the “mountain” itself, moving debris into designated areas of the field, and saving the “climbers” by hitting levers located on the sides of the “mountain.”
Teams can also score big points during end game (the last 30 seconds of game play). The tasks performed during this period are often some of the most impressive, including climbing/parking on the mountain and even hanging on the pull-up bar located at the top of the mountain.
One parent watching the preliminary matches remarked, “Kids these days are really incredible… It’s insane how detailed these robots are!” Indeed, from folding arms, conveyor belts, laser-cut wheels, hook extensions, and even custom-made debris- collecting apparatuses, it was clear that there were no shortage of creative and ingenious robot designs at the competition. Said team member Maddy Howe, “It’s honestly inspiring to see some of the robots other teams built—we all complete the same tasks in such different ways.”
The semi-finals and finals were nerve-wracking and fascinating to watch, especially considering the strength of all the finalist teams competing. In fact, I couldn’t find anyone to interview during this period, as it seemed that no one could tear themselves away from the thrilling gameplay!
Congratulations to Greenwich teams Greenwich High School Robotics from Greenwich High School, RoboEpic from Greenwich Academy, and Dragon Terminators from Old Greenwich, as well as other Connecticut teams such as HAX Robotics, Dutchmen’s Derivatives, Metal Storm, Blazing Paranormals, Radical PiRates, Falconeers, Portland Cybernetics, Bomb Squad, and Binary Buccaneers, who all competed in the Connecticut State Championships Feb. 20.
“The enthusiasm and passion at this competition was both heartwarming and extremely motivational,” said Doug Rendell. “It was great to see so many kids encouraging and cheering each other on no matter how they were doing, even though they were from different schools, different backgrounds, and different walks of life.”
Perhaps that is the essence of what robotics is: teamwork, insanity, passion, and most important, a shared love for creating.
Renee Ong is currently a junior attending Greenwich Academy in Greenwich. Outside of art and writing, Renee is deeply invested in STEM, and competes regularly in robotics competitions. She also enjoys eating Southeast Asian food and traveling.
