Carson High School Robotics Team Returns from World Championship
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 11:32am
Event Date:
April 22, 2017 (All day) CARSON CITY — Team Captain, the Carson High School robotics team, has returned from an intense four-day competition at the FIRST World Championship. Held April 19–22 in Houston, Texas, the competition brings together the best robotics teams from around the country and around the world.
Team Captain, also known as FTC team #5687, competed with 127 of the top teams, drawn from a pool of more than 5,500 FTC teams worldwide.
Overall, there were more than 700 teams and 35 countries represented, which included all four FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics programs: FIRST LEGO League Jr (grades K-4), FIRST LEGO League (grades 4-8), FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12), and FIRST Robotics Competition (grades 9-12). It was the largest presence ever for teams from Nevada, with a total of six qualifying for the competition. There were three FRC teams, including the Highrollers from Las Vegas, which won its subdivision. There were two FLL teams, including the Jedi Engineers, which won 3rd place in the Core Values – Teamwork category. Team Captain was the only FTC team from Nevada.
In its first appearance at the World Championship, Team Captain performed admirably, ending with a 4-4-1 record, which was better than its record at the FTC West Super Regional last month.
With both of the team’s coaches in their first year coaching an FTC team, it was a surprise to make it all the way to the highest level of competition.
Noting there was still much to learn, coach Scot Duncan said, “Considering the skills and experience of the other teams, I am extremely happy with the progress the team has made this season, including the past two months. As the team reached new levels of competition, it continued to improve.”
Team Captain’s members include Allan Huntington (captain), Henry Sturm (vice-captain), Nicholas Bowler, Zac Frewert, Stuart McElheny, Rylan Fancher, Luke Bowler, Nanami Duncan, and Casanova Segura. The coaches are Scot Duncan and Michelle Bowler.
The robotics programs are described by FIRST as a Sport for the Mind, and the competition is very high-energy, punctuated with thumping music and loud cheering. One of the parents in attendance, Heather Fancher, said, “To be immersed in the energy and competition with these kids has been an inspiration beyond words!” Another parent, Dan Bowler, said, “In my wildest dreams I never thought I’d be fist-bumping Dean Kamen after taking a selfie with him.”
Dean Kamen is a bit of a rock star, at least among the competitors. He is the founder of FIRST, as well as a famed inventor and engineer. His best-known work may be as co-inventor of the Segway. However, FIRST is his passion project, and he created it to inspire young people’s interest in science and technology.
One of team members, Nanami Duncan, noted the unique opportunities created by this program, saying, “I like how FIRST inspires kids to get involved in STEM. Also, unlike most sports, it allows boys and girls to cooperate and compete as equals.”
While the World Championship represents the pinnacle of the season, the team continues to be active. It will be at a local Kiwanis meeting on May 4, the CCSD school board meeting on May 9 and the Optimist Robotics Invitational on May 20. Over the summer, the team is planning to participate in the Reno Mini Makers Faire and run a robotics camp.
The team expressed gratitude to all of those in the community who helped it accomplish so much this season. The captain of the team, Allan Huntington, summarized by saying, “This season was truly an amazing experience. Thank you to all of the coaches, team members and community who made this amazing season possible.”
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