Robotics team aiming for world championship | News | tribdem.com – TribDem.com

Students from Cambria and Somerset counties came together a few years ago to form the Laurel Highlands Education and Robotics Team, Robotic Doges. Three years later, the group has wontwo state championships and, most recently, a super-regional championship.

Nowthe nine students, ranging from eighth-graders to seniors, are preparing for their first visit to the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri.

Michelle Lamkin, one of two coaches for the team,saidthat has been a goal since Day 1.

Whats been really exciting for me as a coach is to see how every year these students have expanded their skills, Lamkin said. Every year the kids have really increased their knowledge base.

At the East Super-Regional Championship in Scranton last weekend, the team competed against 72 othersin the Northeast from Virginia to Maine. While the local participants mayhave been considered underdogs, they walked away from the tournament with first place.

JuniorMatt Romesberg said the win was gratifying.

It was pretty exciting, hesaid. Especially when comparing to last year, we put so many more hours into the robot.

Romesberg said the groupworkedon its robot ina team members family garage in Hollsopple.

Lamkin said the effort put forth by the team is exactly what the founder of the FIRST Tech Challenge was hoping for when he launched the program.

Shecalled the program a well-rounded approach to learning how to conduct business, because the team not only works to create a robot, but also doestheir own fundraising, budgeting and marketing each season.

What you learn is more important than what you win, she said.

As the team preparesfor next months world championshipin St. Louis, membersare looking forward to a highly competitive week.

Robotic Dogeswill host a Dessert & Demo open house from6:30 to 9 p.m. April 1 at St. Davids Lutheran Church, 401 N. Main St., Davidsville to help raise money for its trip tothe world championship tournament. Donations to the team will help cover its travel expenses and lodging.

For more information on the Robotic Doges, visitftcteam8645.wix.com/roboticdoges.

Ronald Fisher is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @FisherSince_82.

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Robotics team aiming for world championship | News | tribdem.com - TribDem.com