Shares robot with town

The Northwestern Regional High School robotics team, NRG 4055 Gearheads, brought their robot to the Norfolk Library on April 30 to show the Botelle students, among others. The Gearheads’ creation, named “Scratch That” after a failed first design, used a catapult that was highly effective. The team of 20 includes Norfolk residents Meredith Torrey, Shane Cyr, Nathan Cyr and Todd Miller.

This year’s FIRST Robotics challenge was to build a robot that could pass, pick up, accurately shoot a ball and be equipped to engage in play with other robots. The Gearheads attended three district events in Connecticut to earn points to qualify for the regional championship in Boston. They were finalists at the Southington and Hartford events, and they won three awards at the Conn. events, including the Entrepreneurship award for their business plan, which was prepared by Treasurer Meredith Torrey.

Of the 163 robotics teams in New England, the Gearheads were one of 53 teams that qualified to go to the regional championship in Boston, which they won with their alliance members the Shelton Gaelhawks and the South Windsor Bobcats. They were also awarded the regional Entrepreneurship award. The team went on to be one of 400 teams from 81 countries to compete at the FIRST Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, in late April. The Gearheads won seven out of 10 matches there and finished 21st out of 100 teams in their division.

Adult mentors for the team include Norfolk residents Michele and Phil Cyr, Julie Scharnberg, David Torrey and Shelley Harms. The Norfolk Children’s Foundation, Whiting Mills (which donated the team’s build space thanks to Sandy Evans), East Coast Lightning Equipment and J&P Building and Remodeling helped sponsor the team.

To support the robotics program, send your tax-deductible check with NRG 4055 in the memo, to Northwestern Regional High School, Attn: Rachel Vincent, 100 Battistoni Drive, Winsted, CT 06098.

Photo by Wiley Wood.