Grant Helps Ratchet Rockers Compete
A $1,000 Operation Round Up (ORU) grant will help student members of Ratchet Rockers Robotics, Inc. compete in sports without touching a ball. "We don't play sports, so we build robots to play for us," said Heather Semore, a member of the Ratchet Rockers.
The "team" is made of Holt and Timberland high school students who are involved in the Wentzville School District's combined science and technology robotics program. "Coaches" include mentor and engineering teacher Vince Redman and Darrell Wodrich, mentor and President of Ratchet Rockers Robotics, Inc.
The big game is the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition to be held at the Edward Jones Dome in April. The team's work begins when students receive their FIRST build kit this month.
The ORU grant will help pay the registration fee for FIRST competitions in 2012, according to Redman. Students must raise $14,000 to compete in two regional events and the World Championship in April.
“FIRST programs have motivated our students to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills through a hands-on, innovative after-school program,” Wodrich says.
The team placed second in 2011 regional competition, and received the Creativity Award for innovative thinking and exceptional use of materials to construct their robot. The club qualified and competed with robotics teams from around the world, and finished 31 among 350 teams in the 2011 FIRST World Championship.
"It really is like watching a sporting event. When the competition starts you select a robot, and cheer for the robot and the students who designed, built and programmed it,” said Redman. “The atmosphere at these events is incredible. This is the World Series for high school robotics. The students are extremely talented and have a bright future.”
Ratchet Rockers Robotics, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by students from Holt and Timberland high schools. The robotics team meets weekly during the fall to prepare for the FIRST Robotics Competition, and daily after school during the building season. They have six weeks to build their robot after receiving their build kit.
Ratchet Rockers Robotics, Inc. received a $1,000 grant from Operation Round Up to support students in the Wentzville School District who are part of the joint Holt and Timberland high school science and technology robotics program. (Photo by Lonnie Tucker)