CHS robotics scores on and off the field at Denver regionals
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After nearly repeating last year's victory in the games, the Coronado High robotics team was presented the Championship Chairman's Award at the Denver regional event April 4-6. Both of these achievements qualified the team for the international competition in St. Louis, Mo., April 24-27.
The 61-student team is now fundraising for the costs of that trip, according to Gary Hilty, a Coronado engineering teacher who co-supervises the team. The point of contact is fellow engineering instructor Bryce McLean at 328-3759. A total of 46 schools entered their student-made/controlled robots in the Denver event at Denver University. Coronado's unit made the eight-team finals, then joined a three-team alliance that gained second place. They were competing in a game called “Ultimate Ascent,” in which the robots aim flying discs at goals during a two-minute and 15-second match. The game, as well as the robot-construction rules, were organized through an extracurricular program offered by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a national nonprofit that sets up a different game each year as a way to to encourage young engineers and enhance cooperation in competitive situations. The Chairman's Award falls under the latter category. Describing it as “FIRST's highest honor,” Hilty said the award is presented on the basis of a team video that “focuses on FIRST's core values.” These include such efforts as building and sustaining a team, working on the robot, taking time in the community and encouraging younger students. The Chairman's Award video “will be shown to over 25,000 people at the FIRST Championship,” Hilty said. Westside Pioneer article |