RIT-Mentored High School Team Wins Regional FIRST Robotics Competition

Students from Churchville-Chili High School finished first in FIRST.

Three area high school teams affiliated with Rochester Institute of Technology performed well at the regional FIRST Robotics Competition. The Churchville-Chili team dominated the competition and went undefeated through two days of trials, and teams from Fairport High School and Edison Technical & Occupational Education Center finished in the top half of the field.

The FIRST competition—For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology—held regional trials on March 26 and 27 in Cleveland. A total of seven teams from area high schools represented the region among 60 teams from throughout New York, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Indiana.

This year’s competition involved both robotic and human elements. Points were scored by humans throwing balls into either moveable or stationary goals; robots had to bring the balls to the human players. Robots could also put balls into goals by placing moveable goals under a large “ball corral.” Robots could also score points by hanging from a steel bar suspended 10 feet above the main playing surface. Four teams played the game simultaneously, in alliances of two. Pairings were selected at random.

Aside from finishing in first place, Churchville-Chili also won the Autodesk Visualization Award and the Motorola Quality Award. RIT freshman Jennifer Mallory and alumnus Kate Nordland mentor the team.

Edward Hensel, head of the mechanical engineering department at RIT, advises the Fairport team, which finished in 16th place and won the Leadership and Control Award.

Edison Technical & Occupational Education Center, sponsored by RIT and Bausch & Lomb, finished in 23rd place.

Rochester teams competed directly in team play twice during the weekend. In regular competition, Wilson Magnet High School and Edison competed against Fairport and a team from Milford, Mich. The Wilson/Edison duo lost a close match to the Fairport/Milford team. In the playoffs, teams were increased to three to a side. In a thrilling finale, a powerhouse of Churchville-Chili/Webster/Milford scored 220 points in one match, a new national record.

The Webster High Schools team and Churchville-Chili will move on with strong momentum to compete in the Georgia Dome at the championship event April 15 to 17 in Atlanta.

Founded by world-renowned inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST aims to inspire youths to pursue studies and careers in science, technology and engineering. Working with adult mentors, students design, build and program robotic creations for friendly, team-based, sports-style competitions.

RIT, a long-time sponsor and collaborator for local high school teams, will play host for the regional FIRST competition in March 2005. At least 30 schools will compete in the new Gordon Field House and Activities Center, among the thousands of students, parents and coaches that are expected to descend on the Rochester area.

“As host of the 2005 Rochester FIRST Regional Robotics Competition and an active FIRST team sponsor, RIT is proud to take a leadership role in this important initiative,” says RIT President Albert Simone.