Robotics combo wins at EWU district event

Three area teams, Palouse Area Robotics Team (PART) SciBorgs representing Colfax, Pullman Gar/Pal, Colton and Moscow High Schools, the Umatilla High School Team Confidentia” and the Rosalia Aggies, combined forces to create the championship alliance over 31 teams from Washington and Oregon. Eastern Washington and Whitman County made a strong showing at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Pacific Northwest Eastern Washington University district competition in Cheney March 13-15, 2014. Thirty teams traveled to the event from throughout Oregon and Washington.

In addition to teams from Tacoma and Umatilla, students from Tekoa, Rosalia, Colfax, Pullman, Colton, Garfield/Palouse and Moscow high schools were represented in the six teams that made it to the 3-on-3 robot finals matches.

The winning robot alliance consisted of the multi-school 4H based SciBorgs, the Rosalia “Aggies” and Umatilla High School. Additionally the SciBorgs were awarded the Excellence in Engineering award recognizing an exceptional level of achievement in engineering and technology for the design and construction of their championship robot.

The success of the high school SciBorgs follows a Washington state first place championship last month for the 8 to 14-year-old Colfax Lego League robotics team, the Electro Squids.

FIRST Robotics provides the opportunity for students to expand their understanding and application of science, technology, engineering and math as well as business disciplines such as finance, marketing, graphic design, public speaking, leadership and community outreach promoting.

The SciBorgs’ next competition will be at Central Washington University March 27-29. Their championship performance at EWU positions them for a trip to the PNW District Championships in Portland next month. Ultimately, the top 24 teams in the Washington/Oregon district will compete in the World Championship competition in St. Louis in late April.

The team seeks additional sponsorship to fund their participation in these upcoming events. To learn more about Palouse Area Robotics:

http://www.sciborgs4061.team.com or email Glenn Woodhouse: [email protected].