A Few Loose Screws Compete in Massachusetts FTC State Championship Tournament

The “A Few Loose Screws,” a First Tech Challenge robotics team, based in Ashland, had a successfully rookie season.

Comprised of students from Ashland and Framingham, ages 12-15, A Few Looser Screws competed in the Massachusetts FTC State Championship Tournament during their first year as a team.

A Few Loose Screws was founded by and lead by team captain Millan Taranto of Ashland and co-captain Trevor Ludlam of Framingham. Other team members include Roma Taranto and Daskshin Pidaparti of Ashland; and Owen Ludlam, Max Martin, and Ethan Hughes, all of Framingham.

After a very strong performance during their first qualification event in January (hosted by the Arlington High, the First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team was sought by seasoned teams to be their “alliance” partner to compete in that event championship.

After teaming up with the #3 seed, they went on to win the event against the #1 and #2 seeded teams.

In the team’s second qualification event (hosted by Ursuline Academy in Dedham), A Few Loose Screws scored the five highest scores in five rounds of play – an outstanding accomplishment, especially for a rookie team.

They were again sought out by many teams during the alliance selection process, but were able to pick their own alliance team due to a higher overall rank. Once again, they went on to win the event to become the tournament champions.

Awards are given to teams to acknowledge great engineering, design, programming, outreach, among other accomplishments.

A Few Loose Screws was awarded the “Control Award” for superb robot control (programming), the “Rockwell Collins Innovate Award” for having an innovative and robust design, as well as two alliance champion awards.

Their success in the qualifying competitions gave the team the opportunity to participate in the Massachusetts FTC State Championship Tournament, held at Natick High on February 28.

At this event, A Few Loose Screws finished in the top 10 out of 32 teams. They performed among the best of other rookie and seasoned teams, and was an Alliance Finalist.

A few Loose Screws is coached and mentored by Craig Taranto and Eric Ludlam.

The team also has their own website. You can view at http://ftc8681.wordpress.com.

CSP Associates was a major sponsor of the team this rookie season, and helped to support and drive the teens to help make this season a success.

First Tech Challenge is one of four robotics programs, organized by FIRST (http://www.usfirst.org).

The program’s mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation,and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

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