Ultimate Ascent 2013

The Manchester Essex Regional High School Robotics Team, Robots by the C, competed in US FIRST (for Inspiration & recognition of Science & Technology) Boston Regional Robotics competition in March 2013. A group of 25 boys and girls, with guidance from mentors, designed, built and fundraised to make an awesome robot for this challenge.

The challenge this year was to build a robot that could throw Frisbees into targets and climb a seven and half foot tall tower. Robots by the C decided to focus on climbing the tower and created a 120 pound robot in only six weeks that climbed the tower by rotating end over end as it climbed. This task involved many mathematical equations, with a lot engineering and technology. This competition has been named “the varsity sport for the mind.”

Competing against 50 teams from New England, Brazil and Canada over loud music and the roar of the crowd, the team won many matches over the three day event. Robots by the C accomplished their challenge of climbing the tower but did not make it into the finals. Although they did not make it to the finals, they certainly gained knowledge, team work, accomplished execution and had tons of fun!

Team members: Captains- Dustin Ferzacca, Loyd Waites & Sam Carlberg; Team- Alexei Goldsmith-Solomon, Alexis Hemeon, Alex Shepard, Austin Waldsmith, Ben Wolsieffer, Brady Winn, Christine Pries, Dylan McClure, Julia Whitten, Sam Creighton, Scotty Franklin, Tatum Hosman, Teirney McTiernan, Toni Rerisi, and Tyler Duda; Advisor Joseph McDonough; Mentors Dennis Carlberg, Mory Creighton, Nick Ferzacca, Rob Solomon, Lynn Atkinson, Gary Gilbert, Sarah Creighton, and Gail Halloran.

Thanks to our Sponsors: Spaulding Education Fund, The Hooper Fund, MIT Lincoln Labs, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Society of American Military Engineers, and Pinpoint Laser Systems.

Team 2084 Climbs

Robots by the C starts off a new school year with a win and a new advisor

Robots by the C won the Savage Soccer Vex robot competition at Worcester Polytechnic Institute on November 10, 2012. Our robot’s sweeper engulfed all blocks in its path. We were undefeated in every match and had lots of high scoring rounds to come out on top in a field of 63 teams from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Our alliance partners in the finals were Whitinsville Christian High School from Whitinsville, MA and the Nutrons from Boston. It was an exciting day!!!

Students, mentors and parents welcome advisor Joseph McDonough to the team! Mr. McDonough is a fifth grade teacher at Memorial School. We are happy to have him as our advisor. There are also three new captains this year, seniors Sam Carlberg, Dustin Ferzacca and Loyd Waites. The team is building on the excitement from last season, including being a finalist at the Boston FIRST competition. We encourage new members to join. We have new robotic challenges this year. So far, we’ve participated in the Post Rebound Rumble competition in Manchester N.H. in October and Savage Soccer in November.  We also held a fundraising auction at JD Meyers & Friends in Magnolia. The team thanks JD Meyers for all their help and support, as well as the bidders at the auction.

Our current project is the FIRST challenge called Ultimate Ascent. The robots compete to score points by throwing Frisbees and climbing a seven and a half foot pyramid. As usual, it’s a tough one! We have another five weeks to build the robot. The competition will be held on March 21-23, 2013 at Boston University’s Agganis Auditorium. Hope to see you there!!!

Savage Soccer 2012

Sean Halloran receives First Dean's List Finalist Award at Boston US First Robotics Competition

Sean Halloran, Captain of Robots by the C, US First Robotics  Team 2084 received the FIRST DEAN’S LIST FINALIST AWARD:  Honoring FIRST Student Superstars.

Criteria for selection of the FIRST Dean’s List includes, but is not limited to, a student’s:

• demonstrated leadership and commitment to the ideals of FIRST;
• interest in and passion for a long term commitment to FIRST and its ideals;
• overall individual contribution to their team;
• technical expertise and passion;
• entrepreneurship and creativity;
• ability to motivate and lead fellow team members; and
• effectiveness at increasing awareness of FIRST in their school and community.

Sean has been on US First Team 2084 for three years and is an advocate to bring more attention to US First in the community and the schools. Sean and the team have been demonstrating and explaining the US First's program and mission around town and in the classroom, from outside Dunkin Donuts, to handing out programs at the Spaulding Trust Talent Show, a float in the  July 4th parade and instruction in the  industrial design and other classes in the schools. Look for the robot and the team around town and in the July 4th parade!

Sean has been invited to attend the  FIRST Championship in St. Louis where he will be considered for the FIRST  Dean’s List Award. Ten students will be selected from the finalists  as the FIRST Dean’s List Award Winners for the 2012 FRC season.