ACS RoboCats Compete in FTC Event

On Sunday January 21st, the ACS RobotCats team traveled to MVCC for their first ever First Tech Challenge event.  FTC is a global robotics competition in which teams design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in head to head challenges in alliance forms.  Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEAM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.

This marks Adirondacks first year participating in the FTC competition. While ACS students initiated the program last year, they focused on building a functional robot without entering the competition. Armed with the knowledge gained from the previous year, this year's students successfully constructed a robot and entered the competition. The RoboCats had a commendable performance, securing the 13th position out of 20 schools. Winning two out of five qualifying matches, they gained valuable experience throughout the day.

The MVCC competition proved to be a transformative experience for the RoboCats. Their robot performed exceptionally well, and the students gleaned numerous lessons on robotics and collaboration. Building connections with players from other teams, ACS team members laid the foundation for future collaborations. The RoboCats extend their congratulations to our neighbor to the north, South Lewis, as they finished 5th in the competition and reached the elimination round. The South Lewis team, along with coach Liz Vaerewyck, played a pivotal role in assisting Adirondack in establishing their FTC team, without whom the RoboCats wouldn't have been able to compete.

The ACS RoboCat would like to thank Kristy McGrath, Heidi Smith, and the ACS Board of Education for their continued support.  They would also like to thank Jill Schafer with the help promoting the team via social media and Mike Faustino with his support at the event.

As always, ACS IS FULL STEAM AHEAD!!!