Sachem HS Robotics Team Wins SBPLI FIRST Robotics Competition

November 16, 2017, Ronkonkoma, NY - Retlif Testing Laboratories of Ronkonkoma, NY, an internationally recognized independent EMC and Environmental Simulation testing leader, proudly announced that Sachem High School Robotics Team is the first place winner of the 2017 School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) FIRST Robotics Competition, the largest competition of its kind in the Long Island region. Retlif Testing Laboratories has supported the team, known as The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team, with engineering support, financial contributions, and internships at its Ronkonkoma headquarters since 2000.

The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team has consistently ranked in the top one percent of competing teams, adding to previous triumphs that include the 2016 SBPLI Regional Winner, the 2015 South Florida Regional Winner and the 2009 Xerox Creativity Award, among others.

“With such challenging goals and tight deadlines, the First Robotics program is an excellent avenue for introducing students to the world of engineering and project management,” Mike Hull of Lake Grove, NY, Retlif Testing Laboratories Environmental Laboratory Supervisor, stated. “With this support Retlif is helping to influence and mold future engineers and scientists in a world where technology is of premium value and where expertise is desperately needed. I’m pleased that we are able to support a program in a school district as close to Retlif headquarters as Sachem. Proximity is part of how this longstanding relationship came about.”

The Sachem team built a robot from scratch with a strategy to handle multiple elements of the competition. In particular, the speed and maneuverability from the mecanum wheels, which enabled the robot to move in any direction, made it an extremely effective gear loading bot.

“By designing and building a robot, participating students learn technical engineering and programming skills, develop a sense of personal responsibility, and learn to appreciate the value of effective teamwork through weekly meetings and workshops,” added Retlif Executive Vice President William Hayes of East Islip, NY. “It was rewarding to all involved that the kids autographed the robot. They recognized that taking first place was a singular achievement, and the autographing was an expression of their pride in what they had accomplished.”

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Ronkonkoma, New York, Retlif Testing Laboratories is one of the USA’s highest profile independent testing laboratories. Retlif provides complete EMC/EMI and Environmental Simulation Testing, Composite Testing and engineering services for aerospace, avionics, rail, maritime, medical devices, military and homeland security applications. Retlif Testing Laboratories test data is recognized worldwide. Retlif Testing Laboratories is strategically focused on test results with a mission to provide tangible customer value through testing and engineering services and has additional laboratories and facilities in Goffstown New Hampshire, Harleysville Pennsylvania, a specialized composite laboratory in Plainview New York, and a regulatory office in Arlington Virginia.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

• Photo 1: Pictured is Retlif Testing Laboratories Environmental Laboratory Supervisor Mike Hull of Lake Grove, NY (wearing blue shirt, right side) with Sachem High School’s The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team, which was first place winner of the 2017 School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) FIRST Robotics Competition, the largest competition of its kind in the Long Island region. Retlif Testing Laboratories has sponsored and supported The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team with engineering support, financial contributions, and internships at its Ronkonkoma headquarters since 2000.
• Photo 2: Pictured from left to right is Kaitlin Tripi of Sachem High School’s The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team, which was first place winner of the 2017 School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) FIRST Robotics Competition, the largest competition of its kind in the Long Island region, with Mike Hull, Environmental Laboratory Supervisor with Retlif Testing Laboratories, which has sponsored and supported The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team with engineering support, financial contributions, and internships at its Ronkonkoma headquarters since 2000.

• Photo 3: Pictured is Retlif Testing Laboratories-sponsored Sachem High School’s The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team award winning designed gear loading robot built with mercanum wheels for speed and maneuverability that earned the team first place in the 2017 School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) FIRST Robotics Competition. Retlif Testing Laboratories has supported The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team with engineering support, financial contributions, and internships at its Ronkonkoma headquarters since 2000.