DuPont-sponsored Robotics Team Finishes on Top

DuPont-sponsored Robotics Team Finishes on Top

DuPont-sponsored Team 365 from Wilmington, Del., show off their 1st place medals.

Fifty-six high school robotics teams competed at this year’s Philadelphia FIRST Robotics Regional competition held recently at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa. (U.S.). Three teams were sponsored by DuPont:

• Team 365, the Miracle Workers ( MOE) from Wilmington Del.
• Team 316, the LuNaTeCs from Salem County, N.J.
• Team 1370. Thermogenesis from Middletown, Del.

DuPont also was a major sponsor of the event, and DuPont Engineering Technology Director R. David Mitchell spoke during the opening ceremonies.

After two days of competition and an exciting final round, MOE and the LuNaTecs placed 1st and 2nd respectively, along with their alliance partners. In addition, Team 365 received the Gracious Professionalism Award sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, and Team 316 received the Imagery Award.

DuPont-sponsored Team 316 from Salem County, N.J., show off their 2nd place medals.

The season’s competitions started in January when teams received this year's game challenge called LOGOmotion. The challenge is a fast-moving game that requires robots to place tubes on a rack as high as 9 feet tall in a pattern that displays the FIRST logo. They then must deploy a mini robot to climb a pole and trigger a signal at the top. Teams spend six weeks living and breathing robots until mid-February, when they ship their robot for the regional competition. Regional winners compete with more than 350 teams from around the country and world at the National competition in St. Louis, Mo.

Both MOE and the LuNaTecs teams are part of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). FIRST is a not-for-profit organization devoted to helping young people discover and develop a passion for science, engineering, technology and math. Founded more than 20 years ago by inventor Dean Kamen, the 2009-2010 season attracted more than 210,000 young people aged 6-18 and more than 90,000 mentors, coaches and volunteers from 56 countries. Programs culminate each year in an international robotics competition and celebration where teams compete for recognition. FIRST team members gain self confidence, develop people and life skills, make new friends and, perhaps, discover an unforeseen career path. In addition, more than $12 million in scholarship funds are available to students who participate in FIRST.

“The FIRST robotics program provides students with the opportunity to have a firsthand experience in engineering,” said Rosanne Danner, regional leader, DuPont Sustainable Solutions and leader of Team 316. “It goes beyond the science to provide skills in team work, time management and problem solving – all required to be successful. FIRST is a great collaboration between students and mentors. It is fun to watch these students grow over the years.”

Learn more about FIRST.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or know a student who would like to join one of the teams, contact John Larock at [email protected] for the Delaware team, or Rosanne Danner at [email protected] for the New Jersey team.

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