NORWICH – FIRST Team T-Rx 145 began building, programming and designing their robot on Jan. 6 for their 11th season competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition.

Students from Norwich, Sherburne- Earlville, Unadilla, Oxford and Bainbridge-Guilford High School Districts have been working vigorously to build a robot that will perform effectively at the Finger Lakes Regional Competition held at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on March 9 and 10. Success at Regionals will motivate the Team T-Rx 145 to proceed onto the National Competition held in Atlanta, Ga. in April.

The publicity team has been working this year to expand the community awareness of the team’s successes and program opportunities. The FIRST Program, created by Dean Kamen, was designed to promote student interest in science, technology, engineering and math. This vision is embodied within the name FIRST which stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” One goal of FIRST is to provide students with new heroes of technology and engineering in a robotic sport similar to their basketball or Nascar heroes. The worldwide program offers several scholarships, school enrichment support programs and a great opportunity for students to learn from mentors in the field and apply real life skills as they learn and have fun.