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Gateway Robotics Challenge Draws Teams from Midwest to Hazelwood Central High
Teams from throughout the Midwest descended upon Hazelwood Central High School on September 13 for a daylong competition — a test of strategy, skill and brawn.
Wait a minute — the football game was on Friday night, and basketball season has not started yet. What teams played on that Saturday?
Central High School hosted the Gateway Robotics Challenge which saw local teams as well as others from as far away as Arkansas and Oklahoma battle in an off-season robotics event. Organizers say the off-season events help participants prepare for the official FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) matches which take place in the latter half of the school year. Local competitors included teams from O’Fallon (Mo.), University City, St. Louis City & County, Edwardsville (Ill.), Wentzville, and Bonne Terre.
Competition organizer Ryan Dognaux says the off-season event provides a preview of what to expect in the official FIRST contests.
“New team members are introduced to what FIRST Robotics is all about and the event also brings the sport to parents, sponsors and existing team members,” explained Dognaux, who is an engineer with Boeing. “Off-season events help raise the level of comradery and competition in an area and we hope this event helps the St. Louis area teams by giving them another opportunity to compete.”
Matt McClellan, special areas curriculum coordinator with the Hazelwood School District, says he heard nothing but positive feedback on the District’s first time as competition host.
“We are truly grateful to have a partner like FIRST Robotics for this venture,” McClellan said. “They are an extremely well-organized and enthusiastic team and we appreciate the opportunity to help showcase these talented students. Many of these are students who will be our next generation of coders, computer scientists, doctors, engineers and researchers. We are thankful for the support of FIRST, HSD leadership and staff, and the community in making it a success. We hope to bring the event back next year.”
In addition to the competition inside the Central Field House, colleges and universities set up shop outside the venue in what was tagged as Scholarship Row. Dognaux says Scholarship Row is an opportunity for high school students to talk to college representatives from STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)-related curriculum and programs.
“The students who participate in the robotics competition are in high demand; colleges want these high school students to come to their schools,” he continued. “In FIRST everyone can ‘turn pro’ – there’s a field waiting for each student with their specialized skill sets. That’s what makes FIRST unique – the skills students are learning by participating gives them a head start before they go to college to study STEM-related majors.”
The St. Louis regional robotics competition will be held March 18-21, 2015 at Chaifetz Arena in midtown St. Louis. The FIRST national championship will be held April 22-25, 2015 at the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis. For more information, go to www.stlouisfirst.org, or www.usfirst.org. (story, photos provided by Hazelwood School District)
