A memorable trip to Houston that featured a visit to the Space Center and to Daikan Park, home of the Houston Astros, was experienced by the Bridgewater-Raritan High School students who are members of the Robotics FIRST Team 303
The Robotics FIRST Team 303 earned a ticket to Texas by qualifying for the FIRST Championship, held in Houston from April 29 through May 2.
Team 303 won the prestigious Engineering Inspiration Award at Lehigh University on April 18, advancing to the program's first world championships since 2019.
Jim Griffin, the Robotics Team Advisor at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, reported that the team didn't bring home any awards and finished 2-8 in qualification matches.
“ We had a challenging schedule and in a few of those losses, if the other robots on our team hadn't had some technical issues, the matches very well might have gone in our favor.” Mr, Griffin said.
But the Bridgewater-Raritan students took the opportunity to enjoy their trip.
“The Einstein tournament, which takes the top eight alliances, was an incredible thing to experience, rivaling any sporting event I've ever been to with at least 20,000 watching those final matches during a giant robotics party,” Mr. Griffin said.
The students also participated in the RoboProm at Daikan Park, the Astros' home, where they danced, talked, and interacted with other robotics teams from around the world. Before the Bridgewater-Raritan party departed, they visited Space Center Houston, where they toured the astronaut training facility at the Johnson Space Center and saw a Saturn V rocket up close.
Mr. Griffin, the STEM Teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, revealed that the underclassmen are eager to return to Houston.
“Next year's returning members are already planning for next year's robot and all of the new initiatives that we will undertake to bring STEM and robotics to our community in hopes of returning to Houston in 2027.”