Robotics team gets chance to show its stuff as it moves on to the NJ FIRST Tech Challenge.
Warren County Technical School's robotics team will return to the state finals of the New Jersey FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Competition.
The event, known as the "Garden State Rumble" is open to the public and will be held Feb. 28 at the New Jersey Institute of Technology campus in Newark.
Over the past several weeks, 139 teams from across the state have competed in a series of robotics tournaments. Only 48 teams will advance to the state finals.
Lukas Purasson, Daniel dePaz and Nicholas Roschewsk make some last minute adjustments as team mentor Rob Roschewsk looks on. (Special to lehighvalleylive.com) On Feb. 14, Warren Tech was one of six teams to advance in a spirited qualifier held in Oradell, N.J. The team was nominated for four awards and took home the "Inspire" award, which earned them an automatic invitation to the state finals.
Last year, Warren Tech had mechanical issues and its robot's powering mechanism failed in the state finals. This year's competition will give the team a shot at redemption.
Warren Tech's robotics team is known as the W.A.L.K.E.R.S., which stands for Wireless Alternative Lifeforms Keen on Exploration in Robotics Systems.
The team attends all meets and competitions in full makeup and costume, cheekily emulating characters of the television series, "The Walking Dead. "
"Their enthusiasm, creativity and teamwork, combined with the technical ability to swiftly improve robot performance did not go unnoticed by the judges," said Warren Tech Engineering Instructor and Robotics Coach Sean McGeough.
FIRST Tech Challenge is a robotics competition for students in grades 7 to 12. Teams are responsible for designing, building and programming robots to compete in alliances against other teams. Teams are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles.
Teams advance from local qualifying tournaments to state and regional championships, before advancing to the World Championship Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri.
To follow the W.A.L.K.E.R.S. (FTC Team #5339), visit facebook.
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