SHARON, Pa. – Students in the Sharon City School District are heading to international robotics competitions after standout performances at state-level events.
Both the Sharon High School robotics team and the Sharon Tiger Techs have earned the opportunity to compete against top teams from around the world.
The high school team will compete in June at the Canada Cup in Ontario, Canada, where they will face nearly 100 teams from around the world. The team qualified after its performance at the First Tech Challenge Pennsylvania State Championship at Saucon Valley High School, earning the First Place Sustain Award among 36 of the top teams in the state (selected from approximately 160 teams). This award recognizes teams that demonstrate long-term sustainability through strong planning, financial stability and mentor development.
After earning the First Place Think Award at its first qualifier, the team decided to completely redesign its robot within six weeks. The hard work paid off with a First Place Inspire Award, a Finalist Alliance finish, an Inspire Award (third place) at another event and recognition as the No. 1 ranked robot at the competition.
Meanwhile, the Sharon Tiger Techs robotics team, composed of students in grades four through nine, has also advanced to the international level. After competing against 36 of the top teams in Pennsylvania at the First Lego League State Championship (representing more than 400 teams statewide), the Tiger Techs earned the Second Place Innovation Project Award. This achievement secured the team’s advancement to the Western Edge Invitational, which will take place May 29-June 1 in Long Beach, Calif.
The Tiger Techs previously qualified for state competition with its performance at Penn State Behrend, where it earned First Place Overall and achieved the top robot performance score among 30 teams. Over the past nine months, the team designed, built and programmed a Lego Spike Prime robot to compete in this season’s Unearthed challenge, completing autonomous missions centered around exploration and discovery.
In addition to the robot competition, the Tiger Techs developed an innovative solution to a real-world archaeology challenge. Its project, the Retract-A-Meter, is a device designed to quickly and accurately measure grid sites, significantly improving efficiency in archaeological fieldwork.
To recognize the accomplishments of this season, an open house and recognition event will take place at 6 p.m. May 3 in the gymnasium of Case Avenue Elementary School. Team members will speak about their season; robots will be demonstrated; and community sponsors will be recognized.
Pictured at top: Members of the Sharon High School robotics team are, front row from left, Ian Fischer, Camille Klaric, Mary Brown, Tina Salinas, Naima Allen and Katelyn Powell; middle row from left, Jacob Prelerson and Jordan Perlerson; and back row from left, Henry Nowinski, Vincent Calla, Trigg McMahon, Tony Gaggini, Ben Fiscus and Matthew Schimp.