Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics team, with Platteville High School and Southwestern High School in Hazel Green, won the F.I.R.S.T. Wisconsin Regional competition March 13 through 15 at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee. They will move on to the national competition in Atlanta, Ga., at the Georgia Dome April 17 through 19.

F.I.R.S.T. Robotics is unique in that it mentors high school students in the field of science and technology. For the competition, F.I.R.S.T. Robotics works with high school students for six weeks to design, program and build a robot. The high school students then drive the robot at the competition.

In the competition, robots compete on a racetrack. The most amount of points are given for the robot that can go around the track the most times and put a 40 inch ball on top of a set of bars. Fewer points are awarded for robots that can go around and push the balls under the bars or just run laps around the track. Additional points are given to teams that program their robot to find the ball and put it on the bars automatically in the first few minutes of the competition, without being driven. The team's 38 inch long, 28 inch wide and 60 inch tall robot was successful in this and won the Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control Award in addition to winning the regional overall.

High school students aren't the only ones who gain new skills and knowledge by participating in F.I.R.S.T. Robotics. UWP students gain hands-on skills in math and technology and apply what they learn in class. Casey Gales, president of F.I.R.S.T. Robotics, was able to apply the knowledge he gained in his Mechanisms and Machines class to figure out where to put the pneumatic actuators, which move the arm up and down.

The team is now focusing on preparation for the national competition. They are currently making modifications to perfect their robot and obtaining sponsorships from local businesses.

When they're not building robots, F.I.R.S.T. Robotics does community outreach activities like providing scholarships for high school students and helping them prepare for college and find jobs after graduation. They also do side projects like making a toy fire truck operated by remote control and creating a 30 second 3-D animation about robotics and their team. Through its activities, the group strives to get youth active in science, math, engineering and technology.

Anyone wanting more information about F.I.R.S.T. Robotics or to sponsor them, may contact Clyde Holverson, advisor for F.I.R.S.T. Robotics, at (608) 342-1334 or holversc@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Clyde Holverson, advisor, F.I.R.S.T. Robotics at (608) 342-1334, holversc@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu