Robotics Team Gears Up for Competition

FIRST Robotics Team 1099 is hard at work this week making the final changes and preparations for the Regional Championship held at Boston University. The group is more than 50 members strong, including students, faculty, and a dedication group of technical advisors.  

The team had just six weeks to design and construct a robot that is capable of performing certain designated tasks on a playing field. Their design will be put to the test starting on Wednesday, when their Robot will be partnered up with other robots to complete specific assignments quickly and efficiently.  

 Team 1099 took first place last year and had the opportunity to compete on an international level in Atlanta, GA.

The competition is sponsored by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a non-profit international organization that was founded with the mission to inspire American students in math and science. FIRST has many programs, including FIRST Robotic Competition.

The program is designed to strengthen a wide variety of skills, not just math and science. Students learn to develop ideas and work as a team. They learn sportsmanship and graceful professionalism, an expression coined by FIRST's founder Dean Kamen. They improve social and presentation skills that will serve them well in both their academic and future careers.

The Brookfield FIRST Robotics Team was founded in 2002 and is open to middle school and high school students from the greater Danbury area, as well as homeschooled students. The team meets at Brookfield High School. In addition to faculty advisors, the team has technical advisors from the community, including parents who share a passion for engineering.  Several parents return to volunteer with the group for years after their kids have graduated.

The team recently changed their competition name from the Lions to the Disco Techs. They require a firm commitment of 50 hours per term. Many members exceed that requirement by far, dedicating their time every weekday during the six week design and construction period.

Team captain Anthony Contarino speaks highly of the program. "There is something for everyone with FIRST." He emphasized that the program is beneficial to students with varied talents and interests. Contarino will be attending Bucknell University in the fall.

The team is loosely separated into two groups – the engineers and the non-engineers. The non-engineering group handles fundraising, organizational projects and publicity. For example, senior Annie Smith is known is as the team's spirit leader and Alexandra Sweeney serves as the official photographer.

Funding the robotics program requires corporate sponsorship as well as extensive fundraising.  Corporate sponsors this year include Goodrich and PTC.  The championship registration fee is $5,000, not including transportation, hotel or meals for the students. A win at the Regional Championship will require an additional $25,000 to enable the students to attend the four day international championship in Atlanta, GA.

Check in here at Brookfield Patch for live updates from the robotics team throughout the competition, including photos and videos, March 25-27.