Nathan Hale-Ray Middle School Robotics Teams Win Awards

Congratulations are in order for Nathan Hale Ray Middle School’s two FIRST Lego Robotic teams.  Both teams competed at the Regional Competition Saturday November 19^th in Suffield, CT.  East Haddam teams were awarded 2 trophies out of a possible total of 8.

Robotics team competition involves students creating a robot and mastering computer programming in order to maneuver a robot around a pre-determined field. Successful teamwork is also a large part of the judging and the overall Lego competition. 

FIRST is an organization that stands for: For Inspiration and Recognition for Science and Technology.  Every year the student Robotics teams receive a challenge that they must solve.  This year's challenge was Food Safety/Food Contamination. East Haddam middle school teams logged in over forty after school hours with research, meeting experts in the field and creating an innovative solution to the problem. 

The Custom Robos Team received a trophy for the best overall research project.  Congratulations to grade 5-7 students: Sammy VanValkenberg, Thomas Barlow, Talon Close, Kate Ryan, Connor Bavedas, Zak Vellikaneye, Hope Smith, Hana Tanabe, Hannah Powell, Shayna Moffatt, and Jack Laverredas. 

The Champions Award for the entire competition went to the NXTremes Team. This team was also designated as the top team in the region. Student winners in grades 6-8 include: Matt Tung, Julian Ventres, Bethany Powell, Felicia Horeczy, Brittany Vellikaneye, Libby Ryan, Bennet Perry, Patrick Quinn, and Zach Berger.  By taking first place, this team has qualified to compete in the state competition which will be held Sunday, December 11th at Central Connecticut State University.  

Submitted by: Dr. Ellen Solek, East Haddam Superintendent of Schools