Camden County Technical Schools Robotics Team to Compete for World Title

The Camden County Technical Schools robotics team will compete in the “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) World Championship” in St. Louis, Missouri from April 22-25.

“Again and again this robotics team and program continues to innovate and amaze me with their outstanding performances. These students are the future of robotics and science in this nation and now they will compete against the best in the world championship,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to Camden County Technical School, said. “Our Camden County Technical Schools do an incredible job of preparing students for career paths and continued learning.”

The team won the FIRST Robotics Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships held from April 10 to 11, at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA., after previously participating in the Lenape District and Chestnut Hill Robotics Competitions in March.

“It is a great pleasure to work with such a talented, intelligent, and dedicated group of students,” Tony DePrince, one of the team’s coaches, said. “The other coaches, Andy McAlpin, John Kammler and Alan Norton, are equally proud. Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, parents, and families who have supported us this season.”

“Our robot competed against the top 55 teams in the region. This competition unfolded as a sort of a ‘Cinderella Story’ for our team. Early on in the three–day competition we struggled,” McAlpin said. “However, our team, particularly the driving and pit crews, pulled off an amazing comeback and we were selected as part of the #1 seeded alliance.”

The Campbell Soup Company has been the team’s major sponsor and supplier of engineering support since the team’s inception in 1998. The team also receives money from their Parent Booster Club and several other local businesses via fundraisers.

FIRST combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors.

“There are more than 50 students on the robotics team from various career programs. We work almost every school day and weekend from January through April on the robot and fundraise year–round,” DePrince said. “It’s not just about building a robot. It’s a collective effort of many talents and volunteers. We have to design and print our team shirts and banners; organize our schedules and enter competitions; arrange transportation; write and develop safety lessons, write and develop a business plan, etc.”