Riverwood RoboRaiders Go to FTC World Championship
after Tourney Wins in TN and GA

The RoboRaiders robotics club’s successful rookie season has been much more than beginners luck.  In addition to regular club meetings, the RoboRaiders called on the Robojackets of Georgia Tech for technology enrichment sessions, and took part in a Georgia Tech scrimmage for the Quad Quandary event for the FTC (First Technical Challenge).  After this great prep, the rookie squad of RoboRaiders won the first place alliance award at the FTC contest at Tennessee on February 16. 2008.

The RoboRaiders did it again at the Georgia Championship at DeVry University, also winning the first place alliance trophy.  “Our robot did a much better job this time around with some earlier defects taken care of,” said Rama Balachandran, team coach and Riverwood physics teacher.  “We scored more points, getting rings on the goal posts and pushing the goal posts to our side.  Not only were our drivers fantastic, but the team also worked out the best strategies for each game.”  The team also received the DeVry University trophy for Best Teamwork.

After winning the DeVry trophies, the RoboRaiders were recently chosen from the first tier lottery to participate in the World FTC Championship at Atlanta April 17-18, 2008.  Club members are: John Hendricks, Eric Corwin and Parks Peacock, Elan Grossman, Brad Goldstein, Stanley Vergilis (team capt.), Christopher Fredd and Paris Rouzati.

“The Robotics club would like to thank the Riverwood Foundation for their generous grant of $1500 and Rumi’s Kitchen for their donation which helped purchase materials and meet the registration costs for the tournaments.  We also like to thank Mr. Echols for the loan he provided to meet immediate registration costs and get started,” added Ms. Balachandran.