“This is huge for a new team,” said Corrine Kielbasa, CCSC’s science chair and staff advisor to the program. “Our students are thrilled.”

 

In just its first year, CCSC’s robotics team has spent its inaugural season traveling to other schools and regional events to compete in a variety of robotic challenges. The team won the Connect Award and garnered a third place Inspire Award this year and placed 5th at the Massachusetts High Tech Challenge at Arlington High School on January 21.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Tenth grade student Biondy Lisieux says the science and technology work is challenging and fun, but he enjoys the camaraderie most. “I’ve met some great people who like the same things I do,” he said. “That makes it fun.”

 

Renee Sullivan, of PTC, Jesse Moskowitz of VISTA-MA (http://www.usfirst.org/ ), Carl Morrissey of Vecna (http://www.vecna.com), and Mark Long Jr., a freshman at Northeastern University have served as mentors for the dozen CCSC students who make up the robotics team.

 

“It's incredibly energizing to see students sit together and talk through problems, sometimes near the point of arguing because both sides are so passionate about their point of view,” said Renee Sullivan. “I believe after school programs are tremendously important for students, especially ones like robotics. They give the students an opportunity to apply the skills they learn in class to practical, real-world problems.”

 

Founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology, FIRST is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity that designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

  

CCSC’s program is made possible with generous grants from Akamai (www.akamai.com), PTC, and FIRST.