The Chelsea High School FIRST Robotics Team 1502 Technical Difficulties attended the State Championships this past weekend at DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids and ended the qualification matches ranked 42nd out of 102 teams.
Through the alliance selection process they were selected by the number 11 alliance consisting of team 4967, “That ONE Team” of Plainfield Township and team 66 “The Flyers” of Ypsilanti. The alliance won the quarterfinals and advanced to the semifinals. Although the alliance fought hard, it was not able to make it to the finals, ultimately finishing in third place, which was high enough to advance to the World Championships to be held in St. Louis from April 21-25.
Additionally, the team got to meet Governor Rick Snyder and FIRST Founder Dean Kamen.
This is the first State Championship that the team has attended and the first time they have ranked high enough to be invited to the World Championships.
FIRST, which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is an international program that works to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through the creation of high school robotics teams.
This year’s game, Recycle Rush, is played by two competing alliances of three robots each. The objective of the game is to stack totes, recycling bins, and pool noodles in certain formations. Points are awarded based on the height and order of the stacks. Additional points can be earned by working with robots on the opposing alliance to stack yellow totes in a certain “shared” area.
The first two and a half days consists of qualification matches that determine the top 16 teams. These teams then each get to select two additional teams to join them. These top 16 alliances then face off in the quarter, semi, and finals to determine the overall winning alliance.
The team wishes to thank everyone who has helped them get to this point — especially FCA Foundation, which has supported them since their inception, along with MEGS, Toyota, Precise Metal Components Inc., Roberts Paint and Body, Chelsea Tool, Ziel Industries, The Chelsea Education Foundation, 80/20 Inc, and Mike’s Home Repair, as well as all the sponsors, parents, mentors, and all other supporters of the team.
The team has set up a GoFundMe to raise money to offset the cost to students to attend the National Championships. If you would be interested in donating please click here.
To learn more about CHS Robotics click here.
