Artemis, Chatham High School’s robotics team, competed at the FIRST Robotics Tech Valley Regional on March 14-16 at the MVP Arena in Albany. They were one of 41 teams from NY, PA, NJ, WV, WI, Brazil and Turkey competing for a spot at the FIRST Robotics Championships in Houston, TX. FIRST Robotics is the brainchild of inventor Dean Kamena and developed to inspire students in STEM fields as well as provide opportunities for networking between schools and communities.
In January, the challenge for the year was announced and teams then rushed to design and build a competitive robot. This year, the challenge included the robot picking up and throwing oversized tennis balls and climbing onto metal poles at various heights off the ground. Our students designed with cardboard first, built a prototype robot using wood, and then finalized the design to build the competitive robot out of polycarbonate. Throughout the build time, students learned CAD design, 3D printing, wiring and electronics design and construction, computer programming, and how to use many tools and machines.
Students who attended the competition are senior Olivia Dyer, juniors Aiden Shea and Jane Fischer, sophomore Tom Gibson, and freshmen Eion Henchey and Mason Levy. Other members of the team include senior Meghan Hay, junior Samantha Hoffman, and freshmen Patrick Brown and Jason Baneni. The team is coached by CHS science teacher Sandy Fischer along with assistant coach Adam Fischer, who has been helping the team for years and has expertise in all facets of the building, programming, and competition.
Artemis is hoping to attend at least two competitions next year and would welcome sponsorships to help offset costs of travel and materials. Please contact Sandy Fischer (fischers@chatham.k12.ny.us) if you would like to help, have any questions, or would like additional information.
Special thanks to John Shea of Smoking Monkey Photograph for providing the video of the competition.