Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions Supports FIRST Robotics Team at Connecticut Area High School

WATERBURY, CT - Haydon Kerk Motion SolutionsTM, a brand of AMETEK® Precision Motion Control, makes an additional FIRST Robotics sponsorship donation to the Shelton High School Team 230, The Gaelhawks.  The check was presented by Haydon Kerk’s Vice President of Operations, Paul DellaVecchia, to John Niski, Gaelhawks Team Advisor, and Henry Jiang, Team Member. 

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions believes in continually nurturing interest among young people in the sciences and engineering.  The world is becoming ever more automated, leading to a greater need for scientists, engineers, and technologists of all types.  A perfect avenue for students interested in engineering is the FIRST® Robotics Competition.

Shelton High School Team 230, The Gaelhawks, had been participating in the annual FIRST® Robotics Competition since 1998 and had become known as a nationally-recognized award-winning team. At the beginning of each competition season, The Gaelhawks begin work immediately after the FIRST® organization releases the rules of the game.  The team splits into groups to develop their own strategies before reconvening to discuss the overall game plan. The team then works on designing prototypes for meeting the game’s objectives. As team members experiment with help from mentors, the robot's design slowly comes together. Once the robot is completed, the team selects several potential drive team members, and allows them to practice before participating in various competitions around the country. 

In addition to developing science and engineering knowledge, members of Team 230 also develop other well-rounded skills that will prove extremely valuable in the technical workforce including materials fabrication, programming, graphic arts, website design, public speaking, marketing, and fundraising.  The Gaelhawks are also active participants in the community and work with local organizations including Relay for Life, Read Across America, and FIRST® Lego League.

About FIRST®

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and $15 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) and FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for high-school students, FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL® ) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL™) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

About Haydon Kerk Motion SolutionsTM

Haydon Kerk Motion SolutionsTM is a brand of AMETEK® Precision Motion Control.  Haydon Kerk is the joining of 2 world class brands in the field of linear motion; Haydon™ and Kerk®. Together, the company offers a broad range of precision linear motion products. Recognized as a leading manufacturer of precision acme lead screw and anti-backlash nut assemblies, stepper motor based linear actuators, and linear rail and guide systems, Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions offers high performance in demanding applications such as laboratory automation, medical instrumentation, semiconductor fabrication, military, aerospace, and industrial applications.

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