R2-D2 would be proud.
Newmarket High School’s robotics club has brought home an award after its first entry into a global competition that gives students valuable real-world engineering experience.
FRC Team 7614 received the Rookie All-Star Award in recognition of its strong team effort and for helping others learn more about science and technology at the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) at Durham College March 1 to 3, according to NewMakeIt official mentor representative Simon Watkinson.
The team had a mere six weeks to build and program its industrial-sized robot to race against 40 other high school teams to complete a series of tasks in a “deep space” scenario — placing hatch panels on rockets and cargo ships, picking up and loading valuable cargo for transport back to Earth and returning safely to their habitat before a sand storm sweeps in, Watkinson said.
The team, made up of 30 students from Grade 10 to 12, placed 24th overall and is excited to be heading to the next competition at York University March 22 to 24, he added.
Picture a large arena with a “Mars-like habitat” and an enthusiastic audience cheering from the stands, as judges roam the playing field assessing and interviewing team members, Watkinson said as he described the exciting competitive event.
The FRC not only involves students with the technical skills required to build and program the 120-pound robot, but team members who find sponsors, raise funds — the competition’s robot kit alone costs more than $5,000 — and create a business plan, and branding and marketing campaign.
All under strict rules and limited time and resources, Watkinson said.
“The students are getting a lot of different experiences that they will be able to put on their resume.”
Teacher Michael Roy-Diclemente and volunteer adult mentors, like himself, have provided their time and professional talents to coach each team, added Watkinson, who owns a software company.
As an official mentor, NewMakeIt members provide guidance and assist team members with robot build design and fabrication, sharing their knowledge in engineering, design, metal and woodwork, programming and electronics.
“An industrial robot is not a toy,” Watkinson said.
As well, NewMakeIt also has the equipment such as laser cutters, CNC machines and 3D printers, that the team required to fabricate parts, Watkinson said.
"We see this as a perfect example of how NewMakeIt fits in the community as a resource to allow others to realize their goals, to dream big and ultimately develop the knowledge and skills for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Derroll Salmon, founder and business development officer at NewMakeIt in a news release.
“This is our first year participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition and it’s an experience unlike any other. As we prepare for the competition, we learn robotics in an immersive and engaging way that cannot be provided anywhere else. It pushes us to think outside the box and stay creative with our ideas, helping us learn and grow,” student Olivia Ye, fundraising director and a member of the manufacturing team, said.
“NewMakeIt has been essential in our journey, providing us with resources and mentorship to ensure that we are successful.”
Other sponsors are Rangle, CPG Aerospace, Data Access Technologies, Crestline IT Services, East River Dental Care, Spirit of Math, Pita Pit and Davis Orthodontics.
This year’s “season”, titled Destination Deep Space to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, began in January with the build and includes district and regional competitions this month and next, with the finale championship taking place at the end of April.
In 2018, 3,647 teams with more than 91,000 students and 25,000 mentors from 27 countries built robots.
American inventor and engineer Dean Kamen, best known for his invention of the Segway, was the co-founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 for students of all ages interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Watkinson said.
More than one million have been involved in FIRST’s robotics programs and competitions, which includes Lego leagues for elementary students.
