City students win regional robot challenge

SOUTH PORTLAND — The South Portland High School robotics team, better know as “The Riot Crew,” has transferred to a national stage with its win in the BAE Systems Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Competition in Manchester, N.H., March 3.

The team now takes its talents to the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis April 26-28 to match wits with robot masters from across the country in events designed to test their skills on so-called STEM courses – science, technology, engineering and math.

“This event will be a fantastic opportunity for our team to meet people all over the world who are passionate about science, math, technology and engineering,” the team’s coach, Bob Libby, said Monday. “We feel this year's robot is fully capable of winning the event at the national level.”

Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to spur interest in science and technology, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) challenges students annually in robotics competitions, tech challenges and LEGO leagues. In January of this year, 58,000 students on 2,300 teams received a kit of parts that included 150 pounds of motors, batteries and automation components, along with a control system and a PC. Missing, however, was any hint of instruction. As part of this year’s “Rebound Rumble,” students in grades 9-12 had six weeks to design, build, program and test a robot capable of meeting this year’s challenge – a fully autonomous unit capable of shooting baskets.

The Riot Crew’s robot, nicknamed Betty, was easily the class of the field at the regional meet, scoring 169 of a possible 180 points, winning a creativity award sponsored by Xerox for her “unique and effective” shooting arm that managed “a nearly 100 percent accurate scoring ability.”

After qualifying events – which included 49 teams from across New England and New York, along with two teams from Canada – the Riot Crew entered the finals as the eighth seed. Per competition rules, which require three-team alliances, the Red Riots were picked by the top-seeded team from Manchester, N.H., Central High School. Joined by the Screaming Eagles of Gilford, N.H., the triad rolled through the remainder of the competition, with the Riot Crew also winning the Woodie Flowers Finalist award, which celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design, for team mentor Ralph Newell.

“The Woodie Flowers is the most prestigious FIRST award an individual can win,” said Libby. “The students select a mentor and submit an essay to FIRST explaining how this person has given them the best understanding of the challenges, opportunities and satisfaction involved in the discipline of engineering and design.”

Ten Maine teams competed in FIRST regional events this year. Fairchild Semiconductor sponsored six, including South Portland, at the Granite State Regional event, held at FIRST’s Manchester headquarters. Others included Bonny Eagle High School (which won the Johnson & Johnson Gracious Professionalism Award) and a joint team from Falmouth and Gorham high schools (which trucked all six Maine robots to regionals), along with teams from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, Traip Academy in Kittery, and the Sanford Technical Center.

But now a challenge awaits the Riot Crew that may be even greater than the building of Betty. The team needs to find a way to get to St. Louis.

“We are planning to take all our students and mentors and will need to raise funds in just eight weeks,” said Libby. “We have estimated the costs in the $25,000 neighborhood for plane tickets, hotel, event registration and food.”

If the Riot Crew can raise the necessary funds, it will mark their second trip to nationals for the FIRST Robotics Competition. The team also won the BAE Systems Granite State Regional in 2003.

A CLOSER LOOK

For video of the South Portland High School Riot Crew robots in action, visit the team’s website www.riotcrew.org. And, to keep up with the team during its quest for robotic glory at the FIRST national competition in St. Louis, April 26-28, follow them on Twitter, user name: @riotcrew58.