BOGALUSA - All of the preparation work is completed. Now, all that's left for the members of the Bogalusa High School Robotics team is to get in the arena and compete with the 36 other teams in this weekend's first-ever FIRST Bayou Regional at the New Orleans Convention Center.
"We're ready," said Buddy Fornea, who along with Tom Piggott, coaches the team. "We learned so much last year. This year, it's a world of difference."
 Advertisement |
This year, they want more and on Thursday, team members will begin readying to battle it out on Friday and Saturday in preparation for a trip to the national championships in Houston's Reliant Stadium next month.
Practice rounds are Thursday with competitive rounds on Friday and Saturday.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in
1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in
science and technology. Based in Manchester, N.H., the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public
charity designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge,
and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science,
technology, engineering, and math.
To get to this points, teams gathered at Stennis Space Center on January 6 for a kick-off session, where this year's challenge and the associated guidelines were announced.
Since then, it's been nothing but work for Team 1859 members.
And while a lot has been accomplished by the teens, they've gotten a great deal of help from the welding program at LTC-Sullivan.
Paul Witkowski, welding instructor at LTC, is a fan of the effort.
"I love it personally," he said. "These are real good kids ... they are very cooperative."
Witkowski said working with Team 1859 is beneficial for both programs.
"Yes, we're helping them, but this really helps our program as well. When they (students in both programs) can see how a bunch of projects can come together into one, it really means something."
Fornea said LTC's Ron Thomas "really got into" the project.
"He put in a lot of time and was a tremendous help," Fornea said.
BHS Principal Rodney Brown expressed gratitude at LTC's participation.
"It really means something when they find the time to help high school students," Brown said. "They've worked hard on this project, just like our kids, and I think they're excited about the (robot's) chances."
This year's robot has all-wheel drive, so that it can be maneuvered more easily during the competition.
A year ago, teams were challenged to build a robot capable of shooting balls into a goal, soccer style. This year, teams will pit their robot creations against those of teams from all over the region in a game called "Rack 'N' Roll," which requires robots to be able to hang inflatable tubes on a 10-foot-high rack resembling a giant jungle gym.
"It's not going to be easy," Fornea said.
Fornea said Brown had been supportive of the robotics team since the idea was first broached a year ago.
"He's been there every step of the way, supporting us and helping get us where we needed to be," Fornea said. "He's talked with (school) board members and got them involved. He's been very important to this program and, win or lose, it is a successful program."
Comments