Robotics teams across Indiana, including Columbus’ GalacTech Team 4926, got the green light Saturday to begin building their robots for the 2020 FIRST robotics competition season, and it’s no easy task.
In its sixth competition season, GalacTech will join nearly 60 other teams throughout the state in a quest to the FIRST Robotics World Championship. Teams design, build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors.
GalacTech founder Sam Geckler leads a team of about 30 students from Bartholomew County high schools on a year-long journey that involves training, community outreach, building a robot and competing against robotics teams from across the nation.
Teams are presented with a new scenario every year. Through a partnership with Disney, this year’s game, titled “Infinite Recharge,” is a Star Wars-themed game that emphasize the ability for all to be agents for change in their communities.
Details about the 2020 game were revealed at Saturday’s GalacTech Team 4926 kickoff.
“We’ve worked hard this off season to improve our skills, adding new tools to our shop and increasing our focus on safety and organization,” Geckler said. “Our students are ready to unleash their creativity and passion on the 2020 season.”
This year, GalacTech is competing in two regional competitions: one at Bloomington High School South on March 7-8 and another at Columbus North High School beginning March 20, the first tournament of its kind to be held in Columbus.
Geckler said he was notified in mid-August that Columbus had been selected as a host site.
“For us, it’s an opportunity to get our name out there,” he said. “Although we have a lot of support from key people in the city, often times I meet folks who have never heard of us. We’re the best kept secret in Columbus and that’s a terrible thing.”
By hosting a competition in Columbus, Geckler said the visibility that such an event can provide is an important factor.
“That enables us to do the important work that the team was structured to do and that is to inspire young people,” he said.
The team is still looking for corporate sponsors to help offset the costs to put on the event that will bring an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people to Columbus, Geckler said.
Helen Rumsey, GalacTech’s programming and electrical leader, said she’s excited for the team to show off its skills to the Columbus community.
Because IndianaFIRST is a statewide program, GalacTech often travels some distance for its competitions. Having a competition in Columbus makes members of GalacTech hopeful that community members will care to see what’s happening in their own backyard.
“FIRST is a great program for getting students hands-on experience with aspects of engineering like programming, building and design,” said Rumsey, who has participated in FIRST robotics since seventh grade. “I’ve learned so much through robotics and I’m thrilled that our team is hosting a competition.”
This year’s team of about 30 students includes an experienced group of seniors who have designed and built several robots since joining GalacTech. Geckler said the team is confident they’ll compete well this year.
GalacTech is ranked No. 9 of 32 Indiana teams after its performance at two district competitions and the IndianaFIRST District Robotics Championship in April. The team ended its 2019 season two spots shy of a trip to the FIRST World Championship.
All teams are ranked based on the number of points earned by completing certain tasks. The top eight teams with the highest scores participate in a draft and choose two other teams to form a new alliance, which remains fixed through the playoff rounds where 24 teams total will compete.
Not every student directly works on the robot, Geckler said. Some do social media, others work on animation. Several students are also involved in the scouting process, which involves observing the other robots at each competition.
Depending on their performances at Bloomington South and Columbus North, GalacTech could advance to the IndianaFIRST State Championship in Kokomo where they’ll battle for a spot in April in the FIRST World Championship in Detroit, Michigan.
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Jan. 4: Game details revealed — begin building robot
Feb. 24: Robot Reveal Night – GalacTech HQ, 6:30 p.m.
March 7-8: Bloomington, Indiana District Event – Bloomington High School South
March 20-21: Columbus Indiana District Event – Columbus North High School
April 4-5: Indiana State Championship*
April 29-May 2: FIRST Championship Detroit*
*Must qualify for event
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Details about the 2020 FIRST Robotics Competition game, "Infinite Recharge," are available at info.firstinspires.org/first-rise-2020.
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To learn how you can support GalacTech Team 4926, either financially or as a volunteer, email Amy Liimatta at [email protected].
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