Camden County Technical Schools FIRST Robotics group.jpg
Camden County Technical School's (CCTS) FIRST Robotics Team 203 (One TUFF Team) took first place in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship.
(COURTESY PHOTO)
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP -- Camden County Technical Schools (CCTS) FIRST Robotics Team 203 (One TUFF Team) took first place in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships held April 10-11 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Team 203 was partnered with two alliance teams, Team 316 from Carneys Point (The LuNaTeCs), and Team 225 from York, Pennsylvania (Tech Fire), to capture the first place win.
The CCTS Robotics Team 203 earned a bid to the FIRST Robotics Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship at Lehigh University as a result of their outstanding performance throughout the competition season.
Since the FIRST team began at CCTS in 1998, the Campbell Soup Company has been their major sponsor and supplier of engineering support. Team 203 also receives funds raised by their Parent Booster Club and several other local businesses.
"More than $30,000 a year needs to be raised each year to cover the cost of the entry fees, the travel arrangements and other costs associated with building and maintaining the robot," said Andy McAlpin, coach of Team 203. "Engineers are also needed to volunteer their time to mentor the students."
This year, there were 56 regional events, 48 qualifying district competitions and five qualifying championships. This will all culminate at the World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 22-25.
Robots must be built in six weeks from a common kit of parts provided by FIRST and typically weigh approximately 120 pounds. Each team is also permitted to purchase items to build their robot from a specific catalog within a pre-described budget.
The 2015 game is Recycle Rush. It is a recycling-themed game played by two alliances of three robots each. Robots score points by stacking totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with recycling containers, and properly disposing of pool noodles that represents litter. In keeping with the recycling theme of the game, all game pieces used are reusable or recyclable by teams in their home locations or by FIRST at the end of the season.