Mt. Hope Robotics Team Heading to National Tournament

“The drive train is good, but I think the top end needs readjustment,” Ryan Garrity said on Monday to his technology students.

Garrity, a teacher at , was addressing the girls’ Robotics team, who all nodded their heads in agreement, then immediately got back to work redesigning their robot.

Garrity and his students, boys and girls alike, spent the weekend in Hartford, Connecticut competing against other regional teams for a spot in the national FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Tournament in April, the equivalent of the Robotics Superbowl. Getting into the tournament, and winning, means more than just prestige. It could lead to a college scholarship.

Last month, in a statewide competition, the boys’ robotics team took home the Inspire Award guaranteeing them a spot in the tournament. According to the FTC website, the Inspire Award is “the most prestigious” award. It recognizes the students’ work as best overall in categories that include performance, engineering and community outreach.

The girls’ team may still have a shot to get to the tournament, a very good shot, according to Garrity. The students are in the top tier of a lottery system that will determine which remaining teams will head to St. Louis.

Anticipating two potential teams in the tournament, Garrity hopes some donors and sponsors will come forward to help fund the trip. 

“We are trying to raise approximately $12,000. We already have $2000,” he said. “This funding will go towards registration fees for Mt. Hope robots, 10 students, 1 teacher, and 3 parent chaperones, hotel rooms, students plane tickets, students meals, 2 rental cars, and fees to ship the robots.”

Asked what the students get out the experience, Garrity didn’t hesitate.

“They learn to work as a team. Many of them are brilliant academically, but not at sports. Robotics really is like a sport for them in a way. It’s working together on the whole process – brainstorming, experimenting, building, and programming.”

The students are equally enthusiastic. Both Senior Emily Cambrola and Junior Keegan White-O’Brien intend to study engineering in college. Senior Diana Camara wants to keep at it as well.

“I wasn’t sure I’d like it at first,” she said. “Now it’s like ‘This is so cool. This is what I want to do.’”

Mt. Hope’s Robotics program is five years old and, according to Garrity, a year hasn’t passed where they haven’t won an award. Garrity says it’s notable since Mt. Hope is “not a vocational school or a 4-H Club” like many of the other competitors.

For persons or businesses who may be able to help sponsor the team, email Ryan Garrity at GarrityR@bw.k12.ri.us.