Team 2613, the Van Horn Protobots, traveled to St Louis to
compete in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST)
Robotics World Championship competition April 22-25.
Team members included:
Michael Robinson, Ana Santa Cruz, Kyle Seyffert, Luna Urias and Joseph
Vorheis. 800 teams from 40 foreign
countries and the United States were competing in this year’s robotics
challenge game “Recycle Rushâ€. The Van
Horn Protobots started strong and were ranked No. 1 in their division early in
the matches. The challenge of some
computer issues hampered their performance, resulting in a final rank after 10
matches of play of 47th out of 76 teams in the Tesla Division.
The event was held at the America’s Center and the Edward
Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis. In
conjunction with the First Robotics Competition, First Tech Challenge for
Junior High age students and First Lego League were also taking place at the
same location.
Van Horn students
were able to meet and work with students from other schools and countries. They experienced first-hand two things that
FIRST emphasizes; gracious professionalism and coopertition. In addition to the competitions taking place
there was in Innovation Fair showcasing the latest in technology and inventions
as well as “University Row†with dozens of colleges known for their engineering
departments distributing information and recruiting.
Our Van Horn students also got to learn about the historic
significance of the city of St Louis by touring the Gateway Arch and experience
a guided riverboat tour of the Mississippi River. They also visited the St. Louis Science
Center. Coaches for the Van Horn
Protobots are Adrian Norman and Joy Scott.
