By Tom Caprood
The Record

NORTH GREENBUSH — Remote-controlled robots scurried across the ground, collecting spheres and depositing them into trailers behind them — only to slam into other robots and attempt to empty their cargo into an opponent’s trailer before the whistle marking the end of the round sounded.

While this might sound like something that would take place on a NASA training ground, it was actually the scene at the Rensselaer Technology Park Saturday as more than 200 area high school students competed on seven teams in the Tech Valley FIRST robotics showcase expedition.

The event was a practice demonstration to help teams get used to the movements of their creations and operating on the slick surfaces which they will need to contend with at upcoming regional and national competitions.

Rose Barra, one of the organizers of the event and a member of the Shenendehowa “Team 20”, explained that the various teams were given a scenario at the beginning of the year and then had six weeks to construct a robot that would best meet the challenges presented to them.

This year the students had to make robots that could pull trailers and maneuver spherical objects, with the ultimate goal of getting as many spheres into their opponent’s trailer as possible, which, according to Barra, taught them valuable life lessons.

“They first learn how to work on a deadline that’s much too short, with not enough money, and to go out and do as much fund-raising and get as much sponsorship as possible to get this going,” said Barra. “So there’re lots of opportunities for these kids to get inspired to pursue careers in science, math, and technology.”

Brandon Fryer, a member of the rookie Ballston Spa team, said that his interest in robotics came from building LEGOs as a child and wanting to try something bigger and better.

“I think building the robot gave me more learning than one year in high school because from that one robot I learned science, engineering, electricity, woods, and how to mill for certain parts,” said Fryer, who said he was now considering majoring in engineering once he gets to college.

“It’s really opened my eyes to the range of education that is needed to construct a robot and it really gives them (the students) a very broad range of knowledge,” said Fryer’s father, Tim.

Deb Bigelow-Saulsberry, a team organizer for Team 250, based out of Colonie High School, said that the event was a great way for students to use what they’ve learned in class and in after-school technology clubs.

“Getting involved with the FIRST robotics competition does two things,” said Bigelow-Saulsberry. “It invites those in who haven’t been with us before but it also gives some real life experience to the lessons that the kids are learning in their tech and science classes as well.”

Team 250 was unique because it was not just made up of students from Colonie High School but also from several other Capital District high schools including Voorheesville, Shaker, Berlin, La Salle Institute, Columbia, Mohonasen, and the Academy of Holy Names.

Daniel Christian, a parent of one of the Team 250 members, said he thought the robotics program was fantastic for his son Andrew.

“The biggest change I see in him is that he’s able to take his ideas and through science, and some art, can make those ideas happen,” said Christian.

Les Lak, president of the Chief Executives Network, which helped sponsor the event with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, said that he saw a lot of talent among the students in the competition.

“We believe in education because CEN is made up of 75 small and mid-sized companies that were start many times by engineers with new ideas,” said Lak. “I get very excited to see young people putting this kind of creative energy into these projects and also pushing the frontier on some of their designs.”

Tom Caprood can be reached at 270-1278 or by e-mail at tcaprood@troyrecord.com.