The mood was one of excited anticipation as the 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) got under way at Capitol College on January 4. Capitol is the longtime host of the annual launch event, where participants learn details of the game their robots will compete in, and receive their building kits.
Thirty-nine teams from Maryland will be testing their skills this season, in addition to teams from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, DC. Altogether they comprise close to 300 high school students, along with their mentors.
The FRC challenges teams to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard parts kit and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and compete in games designed by FIRST founder Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers, engineers and other professionals in the field.
On hand for the launch was Bill Duncan, FIRST regional director for Maryland.
"We're delighted to be here at Capitol College," Duncan said. "Capitol is one of the best scholarship providers and supporters of FiRST robotics in the country, and we're delighted in Maryland for the ongoing support."
"FIRST is a program that helps inspire kids to get involved in science and technology," Duncan explained. "We do it through robotics. The kids work as teams to build robots and go to competitions. It's about robots, but it's really about building better kids: getting them interested, excited about science and technology and hopefully building better careers."
Senior Director of Admissions George H. Walls said, “As one of the longest standing and most generous scholarship giving institutions for FIRST students, we at Capitol look forward to activities such as these. From the FIRST Tech Challenge kickoff to the FIRST Robotics Kickoff, and the workshops and scrimmages in between, we know where our best fit students come from.”
“As a technology based college, we share the STEM outreach mission that is one of the foundations of the FIRST credo. A student gets a minimum $20,000 scholarship to attend Capitol College, but with great kids like these we gain more as an institution than we could ever give in scholarships!” Walls added.
Successful technology innovators understand that the road to achievement includes mistakes and failures, FIRST emphasized at the kickoff presentation, urging competitors to cultivate a can-do spirit as well as good sportsmanship and teamwork.
Many returning competitors have absorbed that lesson well. Joe Cho (in top photo, center), from Poolesville High School, said his team -- which includes fellow student Ashwin Sekar (right) and coach Kevin Lee (left) -- has experienced both triumphs and setbacks.
"We went to nationals our rookie season, and we're hoping to make it back this year," said Cho. "Last season was a little disappointing."
"We had a rough year last year and we're hoping to rebound," agreed Coach Lee.
In the 2014 game, Aerial Assist, pairs of alliances square off in a bid to score as many goals as they can in a match lasting two minutes and 30 seconds. Each alliance consists of three teams. Bonus points can be earned when robots work together to score goals, or if they succeed in throwing or catching balls over a truss suspended above the floor.
For details about FIRST and this year's competition, visit the organization's website. To learn more about scholarships available at Capitol College, contact Admissions at admissions@capitol-college.edu.edu or 800-950-1992.