Claremore Daily Progress

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February 10, 2013

VHS Robotics team gears up for state tournament

Mark Friedel Claremore Progress

CLAREMORE — Recently, the Verdigris High School Robotics team won a series of regional tournaments to qualify for the FIRST Robotics state tournament. Students will compete March 1-2 at Southwestern Okla. State in Muskogee.

The team’s success comes in large part from the company sponsors who have helped fund the program since it began four years ago.

VHS teacher and team sponsor Tamra Olsen and husband Don Olson have worked to bring in engineers from LMI Aerospace, Port of Catoosa and CF Industries to help with funding.

“It can get expensive,” she said. “Without our sponsors and community involvement it would be hard to continue this type of program.”

Olson said the team relys heavily on corporations and student fundraisers.

Robotics is offered as a lab through the Physics class in which students receive a grade.

“They’ll usually stay to help out after the class is completed because they like it so much, said Olson.”

To earn a shot at nationals, the VHS robotics team will need to place first or second in the state tournament.

The FIRST Robotics national tournament is set for April in St. Louis.

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