Sisters Robotics Team will compete

This weekend, select high schools throughout the country will host competitions different than their typical basketball games - one among robots.

Sisters Robotics Team 8023 has shown strong again after finishing second overall in Central Oregon FIRST Technical Challenge (FTC).

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program and competitions provide one of the best platforms for young people to get excited about the challenges and rewards of engineering. Teams build a remote-controlled robot and compete in two-team alliances combining autonomous and operator-controlled play.

During the season, teams document their progress and deployment of their robot, then present their results to judges. Teams can also earn awards in design excellence, motivation, community outreach and sportsmanship - FIRST motto "Gracious professionalism" echoes through all season.

After the series of local competitions, Sisters Outlaws team is heading to Hood River FTC League Championship this Saturday, and they are busy fine-tuning their robot and team presentation.

The team consisting of David Novotny, Spencer Bordonaro, Tyler Wonderly, Wyatt Adams, Corbin Johnson and Aiden Cummings is coached by Jirka Novotny.

"This year's game RES-Q, modeled after rescue situations faced by mountain explorers, is a very complex challenge, and our team's strength is in reliable delivery of selected tasks," said the team captain, David Novotny.

For the second year David Novotny and Spencer Bordonaro also serve as mentors to younger Sisters team FIRST Lego® League, which successfully advanced from regional competitions to state.

Both Sisters Robotics teams FTC and FLL will display and demonstrate their robots at Sisters Science Fair in February.

"We want to thank all sponsors and volunteers for their generous support," Novotny said.

To learn more visit www.sistersrobotics.com.