Towson, Md. (April 28, 2008) - Today, County Executive Jim Smith recognized the FIRST Robotics Team 768 - TechnoWarriors, Woodlawn High School ‘s championship squad (30 members), for winning the Chesapeake Regional Challenge—Regional Chairman’s Award and the national Judges’ Award.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) helps young people discover the excitement and rewards of education and careers in science and technology. Last month, the Woodlawn High team won the most prestigious Regional Chairman’s Award – a prize that honors the team which represents a model for other teams to emulate and embodies the goals and purpose of FIRST. At the national competition, held two weeks ago in Atlanta, the TechnoWarriors won the Judges’ Award – an honor bestowed on only three teams nationwide.
“The Woodlawn High School TechnoWarriors began participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition in 2002 with seven students. Today, the team has 30 members,” said Smith. “An impressive 95 percent of Woodlawn’s TechnoWarriors have attended college, most in engineering & technology programs. In addition, four students from this program have been offered scholarships from West Point, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Purdue and the Rochester Institute of Technology through their participation in the FIRST program.”
For the regional and national competitions, the robot competed in an offensive/defensive challenge which included straight drives, turns, and picking up eight pound balls while defending itself against other robots.
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