Updated 12/03/2010 05:57 PM
Robotics competition lets student show off skills in science and design
Teams of high school students from across New York state are putting their talents to the test this weekend for a robotics competition at Clarkson University.Sponsored by Time Warner Cable's Connect a Million Minds Initiative the students put their robots into action to show off their skills in science, technology, engineering, and math. Our Rachael Paradis has more on the students taking part and how win or lose this weekend's competition puts them in line for future growth.
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POTSDAM, N.Y. -- "Last year we came in last." Jake Kierney is one of several hundred high school students competing in the fourth annual "Get Over It" robotics competition this weekend at Clarkson University. He says last year his team wasn't prepared, but for the Parishville Panthers, this year is a different story.
"This year we got a pretty good design. I think we'll do alright."
Students who are competing had to design, build, and program their own robots. Kierney's robot will have to drive over uneven surfaces and aim to collect batons to earn the most points in only 2 minutes and 40 seconds. He says his robot is ready to take him and his team to the top.
Kierney said, "It's got a tub on the back of it and it's got a tub on the front it folds together like a clam so it unfolds and it loads the batons in the first tub and dumps them in the second tub."
Zachary Newton, Kierney's teammate said, "We can hold ten to twenty batons at once."
And for the Panthers, a little superstition doesn't hurt.
Newton said,"We cut our sleeves, we we're hoping it may bring us some good luck."
But the event isn't just about friendly competition, it's about getting students engaged in the world of math and science.
James Carroll, Clarkson Electrical Engineering Professor said, "Students formulate their opinions about science, technology, engineering, and math very early on and so if you get them interested in those disciplines, those topics you'll have students and adults that are more likely to pursue careers in those areas."
And with a competition like this, the possibilities for learning are endless