Robotics Program Highlighted by Board of Education
Student participation in robotics and STEM education was highlighted and recognized at the February Board of Education meeting. CPPHS Junior Sofia Scouten, Lead Outreach Coordinator for FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Team 5485 (The GorillaBots), spoke on behalf of all three teams represented at the meeting. Sofia said, “The students you see here tonight not only dedicate many hours each week to robotics, but also represent a wide range of other pursuits. Our teams are comprised of athletes, dancers, musicians, artists, actors, mentors, mathletes, journalists, photographers, student government leaders, employees and volunteers. These are freshmen through seniors who represent Corning, Horseheads, Elmira, STEM Academy and homeschool students. Robotics is the common thread for all of us.”
The acronym FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” FIRST was founded in 1989 by scientist and entrepreneur Dean Kamen and MIT physicist and professor Woody Flowers. The inaugural season was held in 1992 with one competition. Today, there are over 3,000 teams from countries around the world and thousands of competitions. Each January, Corning-Painted Post High School is the site of the Corning Qualifying tournament.
Sofia said, “We are extremely fortunate to have Corning Incorporated sponsor the three teams here tonight, as well as many FIRST Lego League teams, the robotics teams for younger students. Our teams hold their meetings and construct and practice at the ‘Robot Room’ near the mall.”
Plaques were presented to each student from the following teams: 5485-GorillaBots, 5484-Enderbots and 5356-Tardis in recognition of their dedication and passion to Robotics and STEM Education.