![Upper School robotics team qualifies for 2021 State Tournament]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1614021806/stpaulsummit/vaqcebucdxvex8da2gzo/team1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1614021806/stpaulsummit/vaqcebucdxvex8da2gzo/team1.png","width":512}])
On Saturday, February 20, the Upper School FIRST Technology Challenge robotics team, The Autonomice, competed in a qualifying tournament and advanced to the 2021 State Tournament!
All robotics tournaments are being held virtually this year. Teams must submit a video of their robot and official game scores, and participated in an interview with judges via Discord (photo on right). In addition to building and programming a robot, the team also participated in outreach events, interviewed practicing engineers about their career paths, and documented their design process in a portfolio.
In addition to qualifying for State, the Autonomice won the tournament's Control Award (for programming) and Connect Award (for the team most connected to their local community/engineering community), and were finalists for the Promote Award (for the most compelling PSA video) and the prestigious Inspire Award (for the team that best embodies the ‘challenge’ of the FTC program and leads the field in all categories; third place).
"The students on the team have done a great job working under very unique circumstances and are off to a great start," said robotics coach and Upper School Director of Computer Science and Engineering Kate Lockwood. "We are excited to start preparing for State!"