The robot at the meeting was used this spring to compete in regional events in Pittsburgh and in Cleveland. At the Pittsburgh event, Zimmerman said it was a tough day and the team finished 33rd out of 37 teams. In Cleveland at the Buckeye competition, they placed fifth out of 67 teams.
Zimmerman said in both events the Falcon team was selected for the championship rounds.
“In both events we ended up finishing third,” he said. “Both times we were beaten by the Alliance team that went on to win the event.”
Although school is out for the summer, the team continues to meet and compete. This weekend, they will be traveling to Columbus for a competition.
Zimmerman said the team started two years ago with just eight students joining the after-school activity. The past school year saw more than 20 members and the interest is growing. This recent school year also saw a benefit for one Fitch graduate and robotics team member.
“Perry Toth received a $500 scholarship for Youngstown State University’s engineering program,” Zimmerman said proudly.
The scholarship is from FIRST, a national organization that encourages young people to get involved in technical fields that are in demand. Zimmerman said FIRST is the umbrella organization under which the Fitch Robotics Team operates.
In other news, Zimmerman informed the board members that a boosters organization has finally been organizaed and is up and running. That organization will help secure funds for the team to build and compete with a robot. It will also help in future endeavors.
“We would like to get a LEGO Robotics program going at AMS,” Zimmerman said.
Article Photos
Photos by J.T. Whitehouse, Town Crier
Manning the controls for Falcon Tech 3193 are sophmore Allison Henline, freshman Emily Henline, team advisor Mike Mellott and junior Sarah Sceffield.