The Black and White

by Ethan Smitherman

Recently, the Pilgrim High School robotics team participated in the First Tech Challenge RI qualifiers. The First Tech Challenge is an annually hosted robotics competition, where teams design a robot to complete differing challenges that change yearly. These challenges include an autonomous or pre-programmed period and a player driven period. These qualifiers took place on January 17th at Wilbur & McMahon Middle School. The FTC qualifiers decided which teams would make it to the state competition. For the past 5 months our very own robotics team has been working tirelessly to create the perfect robot for the competition. The robotics team has spent each class period and even time outside of class on perfecting their robot

The robotics class has a team of 11 members, 10 of which are seniors, and 1 who is a sophomore. Each member has worked towards not only making the robot, but also preparing for the competition in general as it involves more than just making a robot. For example factors like a required portfolio and fundraising have to be taken into account in order to win the completion. Each team is judged on things like the design of their robot, outreach, documenting progress, and other first values. For example the robotics team showed outreach through things like the elective fair and social media. Due to the pilgrim robotics team’s success on their robot and inside the class they managed to win 2nd place of the inspire award, the top award of the entire competition. This award was won due to having an excellent portfolio and in general a well thought out robot design.

Due to 5 months of hard work and leadership by returning members like Kelvin Olea and Harry Castillo, the team qualified for the next level of the competition. The team will return to the competition on February 7th which they are hopeful about succeeding. Before the next competition date the robotics team will continue being hard at work on their robot. “If we can iron out a few issues I believe we have a real chance” says Kelvin Olea.