Big Blue Serpents Robotics Team Competes in Regionals

Swampscott High School’s Big Blue Serpents robotics team ranked 29 out of 50 teams in the Boston Regional Competition of the FIRST Robotics Competition March 20-22.

Over 30 students took part in the FIRST competition under the leadership of robotics teacher Dick Leonard.

FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, and is a robotics program that describes itself as “a varsity sport for the mind.” 

The competition combines the excitement of a sport with the rigors of science and technology. 

Under strict rules, and with limited resources and time limits, teams of students are challenged to raise funds and design and build a robot to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. 

This competition in Boston included teams from many states and countries from as far away as Brazil. 

This year’s competition, called Ultimate Ascent, required the robots to either throw or dump Frisbees through targets, and to either hang from or climb a pyramid within a 2-minute 15-second match, while avoiding (or ramming) other robots. Two competing alliances, consisting of three teams apiece, play on a 27x54 foot field.

Every year brings a new competition with new robot requirements, and the Big Blue Serpents want to improve their skills and robot to meet next year’s challenge. 

They are currently looking for professional mentors and sponsors. 

If you can help, please contact Dick Leonard at rleonard@swampscott.k12.ma.us

This article was submitted by Cynthia Zeman.