CHS Hosts and Sends 3 Teams to State Robotics Championship

On Sunday, March 10, the Columbia High School Robotics Club will send three teams to the FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey State Championship, known as The Garden State Rumble. This year, they will also have the honor of hosting the event at Columbia High School, 17 Parker Avenue, Maplewood, NJ. Columbia’s Senior team, the Cougar Cubs (7959), their Junior team, the Cosmic Cougars (9563), and their Sophomore team, the Cougar Current (5332) will compete with the best teams from around New Jersey for a chance to move on to the FIRST Championship Detroit, previously known as the “FIRST World Championship,” in Detroit, Michigan. With the exception of 2015, Columbia has sent at least one team to the State Championship every year since their rookie season in 2011.

The teams are members of the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), an international robotics program open to students in grades 7-12. Teams compete in pairs, known as alliances, using their robots to score points by completing a variety of tasks during each two-and-a-half minute match. With 48 teams competing on 4 playing fields, there will be more action than a three-ring circus. Opening ceremonies will commence at 10:45 am, followed by the qualifying matches, which will continue throughout the day, with a brief lunch break, until 2:45 pm. Alliance selection will take place at 3:00 pm, followed by the semi-final rounds at 3:15 pm, the division finals at 4:00 pm, and the championship finals at 4:30 pm. Closing ceremonies and awards presentation are scheduled for 5:00 pm.

The top 10 teams will move on to the FIRST Championship Detroit in Detroit, MI, April 24-27, to compete with teams from around the world. New Jersey FTC has a strong history of sending teams to the World Championship. March 10, will be the last chance to see these teams locally before they enter the world stage. Columbia High School Robotics Club has sent 3 teams to the World Championship since its founding in the 2010-2011 school year. Most recently, the 2017 Senior team, the Cougars (4102), attended the World Championship in St. Louis, MO.

Admission is FREE, but spectators are asked to bring an item for the CHS Robotics Club’s food and toiletry drive. Suggested items include pasta, rice, canned soups, canned fruit, canned vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, shelf-stable milk, oatmeal, cereal, breakfast bars, microwavable meals (such as mac & cheese cups), toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and feminine hygiene supplies (tampons & pads). Donations will go to local food pantries. Snacks and beverages will be available for modest prices at the concession stand.