After regionals, The Summit Country Day School’s award-winning robotics team finished its season at the Ohio state tournament, bringing home two awards.
Jack Crane was a Dean’s List Finalist, the highest honor any individual can attain in this competition. Each state/region can nominate as many as four finalists. Ohio sends three students to the World Championship. Had the event not been cancelled this year, Jack would have represented the state and school there.
Summit finished in third for the “Control Award.” The award celebrates a team that uses sensors and software to increase the robot’s functionality in the field. The award is given to the team that demonstrates innovative thinking to solve game challenges.
Students Logan Miller and Cole Hiller served as the primary programmers this year. They put countless hours toward that facet of the project.
Another team member, Jacob Locke earned a FIRST scholarship at the University of Cincinnati. He has been involved with the school’s robotics program since its inception three years ago.
Other season highlights:
- The team earned the Design Award on two occasions in earlier tournaments this year. The award recognizes design elements that both functional and aesthetic. “This is one of the major awards given in the robotics world,” Mr. Thomas said. “The judges were 'blown away' with the ways our engineering design process mimicked 'real' engineering methods.”
- Compass Award – Mr. Thomas was a finalist for this award on two occasions. The award recognizes an adult coach or mentor who has given outstanding guidance and support to the team throughout the season.
- Connect Award – The team was a finalist for this award. This award is given to the team that most connects with their local, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) community.
Using the resources at The Summit such as the 3D printer and laser printer, students fine-tuned their ideas, incorporating creative problem-solving throughout the design process.
Mr. Thomas and parent volunteers Mike and Jody Crane lead the team.