Huntington Robotics’ Build Season Motors Along
Huntington Robotics is in the midst of what is shaping up to be another successful campaign. The Huntington High School technological team is comprised of real life “whiz kids” who analyze countless engineering and mechanical obstacles and related challenges and figure out a way to overcome them in a competitive atmosphere.
“Huntington Robotics has already had a very eventful build season,” said sophomore Lindsay Saginaw, who coordinates the team’s marketing and public relations efforts.
Suffolk County Legislator Dr. William Spencer visited the robotics team at the high school last Thursday afternoon, offering members support and discussing the possibility of future collaboration. “He was able to drive the robot and went on a tour of our facilities, including the engineering lab and design room before we pitched him a small presentation,” Ms. Saginaw said.
Marketing team member Will Hebert, team captain Jacob Strieb, head programmer Matthew Wildermuth and Ms. Saginaw gave Dr. Spencer a presentation on Huntington Robotics’ team history and current goals. “We also gave him a personalized keychain made by our laser engraver,” Ms. Saginaw said. “We demonstrated to him how the new robot for this coming competition will operate.”
Huntington Robotics, officially known as Team 5016 is set to compete in the 2016 FIRST Robotics competition. Information about FIRST Stronghold, the name of this year’s competition and the FIRST program can be found at www.firstinspires.org.
Huntington Robotics will compete in the regional competition slated for March 30-April 2. “We are about three weeks into the build season and have decided to build a smaller, faster robot for the competition to be better suited for the game,” Ms. Saginaw said. “Any parents, students, or school administrators are welcome to come down any day after school for the next three weeks to see how the team runs and give guidance.”
Robotics team members have continued fundraising activities and have been able to secure several new sponsors over the past few weeks. “We are extremely appreciative of Legislator Spencer for taking the time to come and visit us at Huntington Robotics, where we were able to show him our progress as a student-run team and organization,” Ms. Saginaw said.
Superintendent James W. Polansky, Principal Brenden Cusack and Assistant Principals Gamal Smith and Joseph DiTroia also paid visits to the robotics team last Thursday afternoon.
“I’d like to thank all of the mentors, sponsors, parents and especially Legislator Spencer for helping us grow as a team this season,” said technology teacher Brian Reynolds, who serves as the robotics team’s faculty advisor.
The Huntington Foundation honored Mr. Reynolds last Thursday night at OHEKA Castle for his work with students. The longtime educator received the organization’s Spirit Award. Robotics team members Cole Blackburn, Joe Mangan and Mr. Strieb were on hand with the Huntington robot to support their mentor and discuss the club’s initiatives with guests.
Huntington Robotics team members also recently visited Spectronics, a Westbury based company owned by the family of former Suffolk County Legislature Majority Leader Jonathan Cooper. Students made a presentation for Mr. Cooper before he brought them on a tour of his facility.
Visit http://team5016.com for more information about Huntington Robotics.