ENID, OK – Autry Technology Center students from various programs are working together to build a game-playing robot to compete in the FIRST Robotics regional competition in Oklahoma City on March 6-9, 2019.
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Ace Robotics, Autry’s team, is made up of 14 students in programs like information technology, robotics & electronic automation, drafting & design, health careers, graphic arts, welding and construction. The team had just six weeks to build the robot and prepare for the competition.
“Last year, we learned we are a really good team with a ton of potential,” said Todd Anderson, Autry Drafting & Design instructor. “Compared to other teams that have been competing for a while, Autry could be one of the better teams in the state.”
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With the guidance of coaches and mentors, the team must create a robot to accomplish specific tasks such as picking up, moving and lifting balls and discs and putting them into goals. The team will use the robot to compete against other Oklahoma teams during the regional competition.
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If the team is successful during the regional competition, they will move on to compete in the world competition in Houston in April. More than 35 countries are represented in the world competition.
While Anderson hopes his team does well in the competition, he has a larger goal in mind.
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“I want to see the team be proud of what they have created, compete well and enjoy the process,” said Anderson. “If the students learn something along the way, that’s a win for those students. I would much rather see them in life than win the game. Winning the game and going to worlds would just be the icing on the cake!”
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FIRST, which stands for For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen. Kamen, who invented the Segway, is an inventor, entrepreneur, and a strong promoter of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
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Autry Technology Center has been a part of the Enid community since 1967 and is one of 29 CareerTech schools across Oklahoma. The center has more than 25 career programs and offers a wide variety of evening and weekend short-term courses and certifications for many diverse career fields. Autry serves nearly 16,000 individuals each year, including many area employees who receive training through the Business and Industry Services Department that works with over 500 local businesses each year.
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Autry Students Compete in FIRST Robotics Competition
