Old Colony Archives
Winning students need robot to progress to next stage
By Jay Pateakos, Standard-Times correspondent
March 5, 2002
When competing students of Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School returned home with an unprecedented 25 medals from the annual District Skills USA-VICA Competitions held in Bourne on Tuesday, there were many a cheer for them.
For electronics teacher Michael A. Gagne, whose students took home five of the 25 medals, two gold in robotics, a silver and bronze in technology and a silver in product services (repairs), his only thoughts were on his students making and mastering the next step along the competitive ladder: the state championships.
"What we're trying to do here at Old Colony is be on the ground floor of new technology," said Mr. Gagne. "These students are in a state of what I call fruition, where the fruit is beginning to come off the vine."
The only problem for Old Colony and its emerging robotics masterminds is that the state competition stipulates that all robotics entrees are to enter the competition on equal footing. All robotics contestants have to use the same robot, called Scorbot.
At the competition, they will be handed the robot in pieces and will be judged on how they put it together, how fast they can do it, and what they can make the robotic arm do once it is fully assembled.
"Problem with a robot like that is that it goes for around $20,000," sighed Mr. Gagne. "Obviously, something like that would not be in the school budget, but without it, my students cannot compete at the state championships."
Those that can move on past the state round will be invited to the national competition held in Kansas City.
"Last year, one of our students won the National Competition for carpentry," said Mr. Gagne. "It gives the kids good scruples in order for them to be the best they can be. The winner of that competition has a great job now, and is aiming even higher."
Without the Scorbot Robot, unfortunately, Mr. Gagne's robotics students can't compete.
"I'm hoping someone or some business may be able to step to the plate and help Old Colony purchase this robot," continued Mr. Gagne, "someone who can recognize that robotics is indeed the wave of the future."
With the state competition approaching in April, time is running out on Old Colony in order to have enough time to practice and prepare with the Scorbot Robot.
"I told my kids I would give them 110 percent effort in order to make this state tournament a reality for our robotic students, and we'll do whatever it takes," concluded Mr. Gagne, "from car washes, to fund raising to asking the School Committee for help. These kids have come too far to turn back now. I just hope someone out there can help to make this a reality for all of us."
All donations are 100 percent tax deductible and can be sent to Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School, care of Scorbot Donation, Rochester, MA 02770.