Westford and EHS Robotics Teams recently competed in the 2024 Vermont First Tech Challenge (FTC).
All of the Westford Robotics FIRST LEGO League teams (grades 4-6) advanced past state qualifiers to the State Championships, where they all were impressive competitors. One of the teams will be advancing to a post-season international event in California.
Westford's FIRST Tech Challenge team (grades 7-8) made it to the State Championships - they finished 8th overall in qualifiers, and made it to the semifinals! The team also earned a design award based on their engineering portfolio and technical presentation.
At the same competition, Hivemind Robotics from EHS earned top honors and will advance to the FTC World Championships in Houston. Some members of the Hivemind Robotics team are Westford Robotics program alumni. Additionally, two EHS students mentored two teams at Westford this past season, which included about 40-50 hours of volunteer outreach. One of the two students was also nominated to represent Vermont on the Dean's List. This recognition is the only one given to individuals rather than teams and is for exemplifying the spirit of FIRST in all that they do.
The varsity/traveling team level (FIRST Robotics Challenge) that operates out of Generator in Burlington started its season at an event in New Hampshire this past weekend. Several Westford students are honing their skills in CAD and 3D modeling, precision manufacturing, designing and debugging complex electrical subsystems, precision motor control, autonomous and teleop control systems programming, technical writing, public speaking, business development, and outreach. This season, they will travel around New England as they constantly engineer more advanced systems and strategies. They are building an amazing robot, but the student outcomes that get built are even more impressive.
Thank you to the community volunteer mentors - none of this would be possible without your tireless effort. Thank you to the sponsors who helped keep this activity accessible to every Westford student at no cost.