2016 Robot “Nathandrew” About to Storm the Castle at Walt Whitman HS

The Robo-Lions, FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2199, are a community team headquartered in Eldersburg, Maryland but open to High School and advanced Middle School students in Carroll and surrounding counties of Maryland.  FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is the highest level of robotics competition available at the high school level.  The Robo-Lions are among the top 5 all-around teams in Maryland.  FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Respect for Science and Technology” and is a 501(c)(3) not for profit dedicated to that mission.  The Robo-Lions are also the lead team of Partnership and Inspiration for Engineering Education and Entrepreneurship or “PIE-cubed” which is a 501(c)(3) not for profit dedicated to K-12 STEM participation particularly through FIRST Robotics Programs.

The Robo-Lions prepare to storm their opposing Alliance defenses for FIRST Stronghold!

FRC Teams worldwide learn the new game challenge the first Saturday in January via a webcast video and then are given 6 weeks to complete a robot using a basic kit of parts augmented by other supplies within a fixed budget.  At the end of 6 weeks the robot is “bagged” and cannot be touched again until the next competition.  Robots compete in randomly selected alliances of 3 robots against another randomly selected alliance of 3 robots (Blue and Red Alliances) during Qualification rounds.  The 8 teams with the highest scores out of Qualification rounds take turns picking two partners for the Elimination Rounds (24 teams total) which compete in Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Final Elimination Matches.  Starting in 2016 the Robo-Lions are in the Chesapeake District which includes Maryland, DC, and Virginia.  Teams will select two District Qualifying events and hope to amass enough qualifying points to go to the District Championships.  The top teams at the District Championships will qualify for the World Championships.

The Robo-Lions take very seriously the FIRST mission to inspire respect for Science and Technology and are a regular fixture at numerous community events.  Interested students of parents should contact Lead Mentor Rose Young at rmyoung.pie3@gmail.com to learn about joining the team.