JACKSON, Wyo. — JH RoboBroncs, a club affiliated with Teton County School District, proved their grit and determination to come-in-from-behind and win the finals of the FIRST Robotics Competition in Denver, Colorado on Oct. 15.
Approximately 200 Jackson students ranging from third to 12th grades outsmarted students from over 40 schools throughout Colorado to win the competition.
“The students had to fight through one of the most difficult competitions we have ever been a part of,” Head Coach and Team Mentor Gary Duquette said. “They didn’t give up and their perseverance paid off. I’m so proud of the students and mentors who support them. The students made Jackson Hole proud.”
According to FIRST Robotics, the competition is considered a “varsity sport for the mind.” Teams of young people and their mentors are challenged to solve a common problem using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. Teams explore possible career paths as they work together to design, build and program robots in competitions designed by engineering professionals.
During the competition, third through six graders created Lego robots, which introduce science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through fun hands-on learning. Seventh and 12th graders honed their engineering skills by designing, building, programing and operating their own robots, called FTC robotics, to compete in a head-to-head challenge. Another group of ninth to 12th graders created, FRC robotics, which are 120-pound robots competing on a basketball court.
According to Duquette, students in JH RoboBroncs are encouraged to use their creativity to design and build whatever they want. For the big robots, the club finds out the challenge in early January and then they build a robot to compete. There are no directions, just a rule book. The students come up with a strategy, design, build, wire and drive the robot.
The Jackson team typically travels to Colorado and Utah and with hopes of qualifying for the FIRST Championships in Houston, Texas, where students compete with over 800 teams from 36 countries.
Duquette calls JH RoboBroncs, “a business team that builds robots.” He trains his students in electrical, wiring, CAD and programming and many of the kids go on to earn engineering degrees.
Founded in 2009, JH RoboBroncs has over 20 mentors and coaches throughout the county working with students.
