Newton’s Ligerbots to head to state robotics competition in March

 On March 6, Newton teens will be competing in Boston’s largest Robotics competition.

The competition is the regional event of the FIRST (For
Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics program
designed for high school students.

The name of the competition is Lunacy, in honor of the
forty-year anniversary of the lunar launch in 1969. Though the object
of the game is simple — to get more of your balls in the opponents’
trailers — the rulebook is long and complicated.

Within a six week time period, using a limited materials list
and some creative engineering, the goal is to create a robot to compete
for possible national recognition. The hope is to engage kids to have
some fun, while inspiring learning and achievement in teamwork,
technology, engineering and more.

The Newton team — the Ligerbots — chose a name that combines
their mascots: Newton North Tigers and Newton South Lions. The idea to
have a team made up of both North and South students was first proposed
by Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Young and seven Newton high school
teachers have stepped in to help.

They’ve incorporated cross-discipline learning, which is a
concept that the Newton Public Schools’ curriculum coordinators have
been working on for some time now in an effort to keep pace with
today’s evolving educational approaches and to respond to the
cumulative effects of budget cuts over the past several years.

The Robotics competition efficiently combines several
disciplines: science, technology, mathematics and engineering all
rolled into one elegant model for gracious competition and
collaboration. It also incorporates the business side, with web
development, marketing and fundraising.

Sponsors include NASA, PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation), BEC (Boston Engineering Corporation), Raytheon, and Textron.

On March 6 and 7, unique, high-tech, sophisticated robots (and
their student developers) will compete in a highly-energized, rock
concert atmosphere, surrounded by hundreds of volunteers and gracious
corporate sponsors.

In 2008, over 7000 attendees
watched more than 1,000 high school students competing. This year’s
event will begin at 8 a.m. and will take place at the Agganis Arena at
Boston University at 925 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston/

For more information, visit http://bostonfirst.org.

Newton Tab, February 26 via http://www.wickedlocal.com/