The Blog
Maintained by Robert Zienta
Owings Mills Robotics Team is HOT!
Posted 12/15/08 by Rob
The Owings Mills High School Engineering Club's Robotics Team made two major scores this weekend at the first Baltimore County Public Schools VEX competition and a $6000 grant recipient from FIRST Robotics Competition.
Project Mayhem, the robotics team name, competed in a field of 30 registered teams from area middle and high schools. Throughout 30 qualifying matches Owings Mills team maintained a first and second place rating. It was only within the last few matches that some schools moved ahead with the Owings Mills team finishing within the top 5.
This year's competition involves the design of a robot to pick up 3 inch cubes. Teams score points according to the number of cubes they retrieve in a specified amount of time. Also, alliances between teams are formed for the final rounds and such an alliance was made between Parkville High School, Ridgely Middle School and Owings Mills. As captain of the alliance, Parkville chose which teams to play in which match. All teams in the alliance had to play at least once in the quarter, semi and final matches.
Parkville chose Owings Mills as their main alliance partner based upon the team's ranking and performance during the qualifying matches. This proved to be an excellent decision as the Owings Mills/Parkville match won all of their competitions, including the final round. Winning the tournament qualifies the teams to participate in the International competition in Dallas, TX in late April.
The VEX robotics competition is an excellent opportunity where students have the opportunity to participate in competitive robotics events and learn about many available scholarships.
In addition to winning Saturday's VEX competition, Owings Mills High School received news that they were awarded a $6000 grant from FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. The goal of FIRST is to inspire young people's interest in science and technology through a robotics competition program.
The OMHS Engineering Club received the rookie grant to get started in the FIRST program. This year, it is expected that more than 1,700 teams, involving 43,000 students, will participate in tournaments around the world. The challenge is the same, but the design and construction of the robots is left to each team's creativity.
In addition to learning the scientific and engineering principles involved in constructing the robots, students also learn about many scholarship opportunities that are available.
"Engaging students is one of the best ways of encouraging students to learn", said Diane Garbarino, Principal at Owings Mills. "We expect a great deal from our students and we are rarely disappointed!"
"Participation in club activities such as FIRST allows students an opportunity to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills," she concluded.
The team is looking for company sponsors and volunteers to work with the team.
"We need financial help and technical support to build on our success," said team sponsor, Rob Zienta. "The grant from FIRST gets us started, we still need to raise money for transportation, travel, etc. We also need engineers who are willing to work with our students."
For more information about OMHS activities or sponsorship, contact Rob Zienta, Owings Mills High School Club advisor or go to the team's website: teamomhs.com
Engineers of Tomorrow; Learning Today
Posted 10/10/08 by Rob
Where will tomorrow's engineers come from? Students in today's classrooms will be our designers and engineers of tomorrow. To promote interest and participation in science, technology and engineering the Owings Mills High School Engineering Club is offering opportunities for students to learn about civil, structural, aerospace, and mechanical engineering by participating in local, state and national events. Students will have the opportunity to participate in competitive robotics events and learn about many scholarship opportunities. The Owings Mills High School Engineering club has formed a robotics team that will participate in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competition. FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology, to inspire young people's interest in science and technology through a robotics competition program. The OMHS Engineering Club has applied for a $10,000 NASA rookie grant to get started in the FIRST program. This year it is expected that more than 1,700 teams, involving 43,000 students, will participate in tournaments around the world. The challenge is the same, but the design and construction of the robots is left to each team's creativity. The Engineering Club is also participating in the VEX robotics competition, which involves smaller robots that still have to overcome some big challenges. This year's competition involves the design of a robot to pick up 3 inch cubes. Teams score points according to the number of cubes they retrieve in a specified amount of time.
In addition to learning the scientific and engineering principles involved in constructing the robots, students also learn about many scholarship opportunities that are available. "Engaging students is one of the best ways of encouraging students to learn", said Diane Garbarino, Principal at Owings Mills. "We expect a great deal from our students and we are rarely disappointed!"
"Participation in club activities such as FIRST allows students an opportunity to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills," she concluded.
For more information about OMHS activities or sponsorship, contact Rob Zienta, Owings Mills High School Club advisor.
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