Schools
Hamilton's Robotics Team Takes Key Award at Competition
It's not all about robots, though, as program teaches life skills to students.
Enthusiasm, dedication and hard work brought home the Engineering Inspiration Award for the Charger Robotics Team 537 at the FIRST Wisconsin Regional Robotics Competition over the weekend at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee.
This award celebrates the team’s success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and engineers, both within their school and their community.
FIRST is a national event founded by Segway inventor Dean Kamen to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people.
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“Students gain a true understanding of 21st century skills as part of this team.” said adviser Lori Hinytz. “They are using advanced math applications, science, English, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and time management in a real world application.”
The Charger Robotics Team 537 is a year-round club of 55 students from Hamilton High School, along with 15 volunteer mentors and more than 30 parent and alumni volunteers. Mentors include experts in the field from GE Healthcare and other businesses who work with the student teams helping them learn technical skills.
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The team is broken into smaller groups charged with a variety of tasks, including animation, programming, video, mechinal and more.
“This team draws amazing kids with all kinds of skills and abilities who are enthusiastic hard workers,” said Hinytz.
At this event there are two levels of challenges. The robots competed three against three. The first challenge involved picking up inflatable triangle, circle and square tubes, and placing them on the rack in order of the FIRST logo. The team earned points for the number of logos they were able to make in the time given.
The second challenge was to deploy their mini-bot which attached to one of the poles to climb up. When it reached the top, the green light went on signaling success.
All teams at the event must compete while showing the FIRST value of gracious professionalism. They strive to do their best while cooperating with the other teams honorably. If another team needs help or a spare part to repair their robot, the teams help each other.
The team's preseason starts in September, and in January members receive the parts kits and have six weeks to build a robot for the Wisconsin Regional Robotics Competitions.
After the competitions in March and April, the group has community events and fundraising demonstrations in the summer to raise money for the team.
The team will be competing next at the North Star Regional FIRST competition in Minneapolis from March 30 to April 2.
To support the team, Tony Maronni's restaurant is hosting a fundraising event from 4 to 8 p.m. March 22. Bring in this flyer to order dine in, carry out or delivery to benefit the Charger Robotics Team 537.
