Grauer School Robotics Team Earn Awards Qualifying for World Championship

Online, January 29, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Grauer School Shockwave Robotics Team won a first place team trophy at the "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) FIRST Tech Challenge" (FTC) Los Angeles Regional Championship Tournament on December 10, 2011, as well as capturing the Inspire Award, the highest award offered in the competition bestowed upon the team that exemplifies advancing robotics awareness and assisting other teams well as excelling in every judged category for robot design and operation. These two awards achieved during the first competition of the season have qualified them to compete in the FIRST World Championships to be held April 25-28, 2012 in St. Louis, MO. The Grauer School team has three rookie members this year, who contributed to the win of both awards unprecedented feat in recent history (ever) at the LA Championships. This year's Shockwave team includes Alex Guy ('12), Cameron Shaddle ('12). Stephen Linam ('13), Keenan Jones ('13), Jacob Hertz ('14), Jacob Baizer ('15), and Craig Kimball ('16).

According to Grauer School Robotics Team parent and mentor Mary Linam, " The judges said during the awards ceremony that they felt they had to give both awards to Shockwave due to their overall strength with the greatest influence being their willingness to help any team at the meet with challenges they were facing with their robots. Our students were jumping in with teams helping them construct and program throughout the championships."

A few examples of the work that led to the awards include: Alex Guy built the drive train, machined custom parts and completed the vast majority of all the programming. Alex logged over 100 hours of work outside of class in the first three months of the season. Stephen Linam was the lead builder and driver for the robot. He practiced relentlessly to become adept and master the sensitive controls needed to navigate around the field, pick and flip crates, collect racquetballs and score, and many other critical functions of the robot. Jacob Baizer built a superior magnetic sensor from scratch rather than the "standard" one provided by the competition - making the Grauer School team the only one at the competition that could score the special "magnetic" balls.

Shockwave was to compete in January at the San Diego FIRST FTC Championships but has agreed to cede their opportunity to compete in their hometown to allow a new FTC team that was on a waiting list have the opportunity to compete. Shockwave will be there to mentor and help that team as well as any others that night need a hand that day.

The Grauer School is an independent grades 6 -12 college preparatory day school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The school is currently enrolling students in its Summer School sessions during June 25-July 13 and July 16-August 3. Priority enrollment includes a 3% discount on enrollment fees if registered by March 2012. The school serves as a successful educational model for hundreds of private schools around the world through the Coalition of Small Preparatory Schools established by Founding Director, Stuart Grauer, Ed.D. To learn more about The Grauer School experience, or upcoming Summer School, visit www.grauerschool.com or call 760/944-6777.