BROAD-ALBIN, N.Y. (NEWS10) — On the FIRST Tech Problem Event, 28 groups, with many from the Capital Area, competed within the FIRST Tech Problem Event. The aim is for every workforce to construct a robotic that may play in varied video games whereas additionally studying extra about robotic design, programming, and outreach.
Katrina Payton is a senior at The Albany Academies, and she or he was launched to robotics by her older brother when she was in eighth grade. However was shocked with how a lot she liked the method and the individuals and determined to maintain competing via her highschool profession.
“Seems it’s a tremendous neighborhood, and it’s a fantastic look into what the engineering profession seems to be like,” she mentioned.
And that features studying the steps to design and create an precise robotic. Hadley Ackroyd and Eve Molnar from Ballston Spa Center Faculty say it’s one among their favourite components.
“I really like constructing every thing… What number of friendships you have got… and then you definately’re like a household of robotics,” Molinar mentioned.
Molinar and Ackroyd weren’t the one ones who mentioned that these competitions really feel extra like neighborhood occasions. Members of the Niskayuna Robo Warriors at Niskayuna Excessive Faculty don’t see robotics as simply one other after-school exercise.
SOT: Ameili Van Lanen, Sophmore Niskayuna Excessive Faculty
“And it’s greater than only a highschool membership; it’s like a workforce,” mentioned Sophmore Ameili Van Lanen.
Smyan Sengupta is a Senior at Niskayuna Excessive Faculty and says that he’s excited to not solely be part of the method but additionally to be part of creating every thing from begin to end.
“The grace and professionalism, the pocket book.. all of the grind. It’s simply superb,” he mentioned.
Earlier than every match, each workforce was busy prepping their robotic after spending about 5 to six months testing and constructing. Tristan Adrian can be a Senior at Niskayuna Excessive Faculty and agrees that this system can supply a novel alternative for college students.
“There’s a sure satisfaction you get while you see one thing that you simply made transfer round to do issues…that you simply possibly by no means thought it might do…,” he mentioned.
On the finish of the day-long competitors, the highest 5 groups will advance to the Excelsior Area Championship on March fifth in Utica.
