The Telegram and Gazette unfortunately missed the real local story in the robotics competition. Of the over thirty teams competing yesterday, three were from city of Worcester public schools (plus Mass Academy also had a team). Many of the other teams are significantly better funded. They came in from out of state on motorcoaches, some were from tech schools, in some cases they combine their efforts across a district. The WPS teams were the underdogs in that respect.
Doherty, South, and Burncoat all individually fielded teams. Both South and Burncoat made the semi-finals. Burncoat made it to the finals, and they are now heading to Atlanta, Georgia in mid-April for the World Championships.
I'll quote Mr. Cox, their (volunteer) coach on this:
This Saturday, the Burncoat Robotics Team, 1735 Green Reapers, achieved what no other city school of Worcester (barring Mass Academy) has ever done, make it to the finals in WPI, FIRST Robotics Competition. These students demonstrated problem solving, cooperation, resourcefulness, creativity and hands on math and science. These technoletes need to be celebrated and have brought honor and were the epitome of academic rigor. They also won the Industrial Award for the best engineering design of the competition. They are Brian Kincaid, Alex Cornwell, Sam McNeal, Tristen ODonnell, Anna Brill, Carolyn Goldschmidt, Alexandra Zanca, Amy Maldonado and Katie Hennigan. Special thanks to our WPI Mentor Nick Galotti. After a few repairs to our broken wheel, it is on to the World Championships in Atlanta, GA Georgia Dome April 15-19. To those teachers, parent, administrators, and School Committee members that have supported us, we are glad to say you were part of the team’s success. This was a great success of an inner city school over many well funded other teams and undeniable proof that math and science is alive and well in the Worcester Public Schools.
Well done and good luck in Atlanta!
Burncoat has other history in WPI and FIRST robotics. Ruth Toomey, 2006 BHS grad was a member of WPI's first Robotics team in her freshman year at WPI, which won the Robotics WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! Ruth continued to mentor BHS robotics teams and this year, was a member of FIRST Staging Group. Next year, Ruth is slated to be in charge of staging for the event.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that a great way to raise funds for these WPS robotics teams would be to have them go to the elementary schools to do demo assemblies for a suggested donation - the elementary PTO could pay them to come like any other edu-tainer - the high school students could get good presentation practice and raise funds for the robotics program - WPS could drum up enthusiasm for science/robotics at the middle and high school level by exposing the elementary kids to future options...just not sure how to make it work
ReplyDeleteJenith, part of how they make money is by running the robotics camp at WPI for a few weeks, but it's an excellent suggestion. I'll pass it along to the coaches.
ReplyDelete