FIRST in Michigan Robotics Championship

METRO DETROITERS TAKE TITLE AT ROWDY ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP

By Eric D. Lawrence Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

   Ryan Henigan admits it was hectic in the pits on Saturday.

   The ninth-grader at Utica Community Schools’ Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights was one of those tasked with fixing his group’s robot as part of the FIRST in Michigan robotics championship.

   “Metal bends. Parts break,” he said, describing how he has to use pliers, hammers and rivets to get the machine ready for more competition.

   Despite the intensity, Henigan said his first year in the program was a good experience.

   “I feel like sometimes people don’t know how much fun robotics can be,” he said.

   And fun was a big part of Saturday’s event featuring raucous crowds wearing team colors, dancing to high-energy music and watching mascots cheer.

   Henigan’s team, the Thunderchickens from Utica, was part of the three-team alliance that won the competition. The others were Las Guerillas from the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills and the Byting Bulldogs of Romeo CommunitySchools. Sixty-four teams from around the state competed in the state championship that wrapped up Saturday at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. Eighteen Michigan teams will head to nationals April 24-27 in St. Louis.

   In FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics, teams of high school students get six weeks to build a robot that can compete against others. This year’s project required teams to build robots that can shoot discs into elevated goals and climb pyramids. The program is designed to foster a love of science and technology, and help students build their technological and collaborative skills.

   Erick Munoz, a sophomore at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, said that although his team did not make it to the finals, members now know what to do to make their robot better.

   “You’ve gotta know your stuff,” he said, noting that the competition incorporates not only the building of the robot, but also communication and strategy.

   Others came to show their support.

   Madi Abel, 15, a sophomore at Farmington High School, was out to cheer on the Farmington team, the Hackbots. She and some friends plan to join the team next year.

   “It looks really good on a college application, and it’s fun,” Madi said.

   • CONTACT ERIC D. LAWRENCE:

   ELAWRENCE@FREEPRESS.COM  

PHOTOS BY JARRAD HENDERSON/DETROIT FREE PRESS

   Beosker Bosey of Kalamazoo dances as he brings his team’s robot to the ring for the quarterfinal match Saturday in the FIRST in Michigan robotics championship at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.

Everett Owen of Lake Fenton readies his team’s robot.