MCE robotics team receives Creativity Award at recent competition.

MCE robotics team receives Creativity Award at recent competition.

#MasonCountyEducation.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

MUSKEGON COUNTY — Mason County Eastern’s robotics team, the Cardinaltronics #6005, won the Creativity Award during the Muskegon District FIRST Robotics Competition held at Orchard View High School March 15 and 16.

The award is given to the team that shows innovative and creative ways to use everyday items, said Coach Sarah McDonald. The MCE team used a retractable dog leash as a tensioner in its elevator lift system, McDonald said.

The theme for the competition was “deep space.”

“The goal was to deliver hatches and cargo to the cargo ship and rocket ships,” McDonald said. “The cargo would fall out if the hatches were not in place.”

See link for video.

The competition included 39 teams competing in 78 qualification matches. Each team plays in 12 matches on an alliance comprised of three teams, McDonald said. “The alliances change for each match allowing the teams to play with and against almost every team. We were ranked 17 out of 39 at the end of the qualification matches. Elimination rounds are played in after lunch Saturday to determine the winner,” McDonald said. 

“One of the best things about FIRST Robotics is gracious professionalism. Even though we are competitors, the greater goal is to work together and make each team the best they can be. Tools, equipment, and knowledge are continuously being traded and loaned out in the pits.”

MCE’s next competition will be April 5 and 6 at Traverse City Central High School.

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