Norwood Student on Winning Robotics Team for BC High

Press release from Boston College High School

Christopher Johnson, of Norwood, a freshman at Boston College High School, helped his BC High Robotics team to a twofold victory at the Boston FIRST Regional Robotics Competition at Boston University, Agganis Arena on March 23 and 24.

Chris and 14 other members of the BC High‘s newly-formed Robotics team, under the guidance of Mr. Mark Pumphrey, of Rockland, faculty moderator, worked the entire year with the help of engineers and parents, to mechanically design, build, wire, and program their prized robot, ROOK. The robot was named The ROOK because, like a rook on a chess board, it can move sideways due to the swerve drive.

The team burned the midnight oil in preparation for the competition. They worked right up to the midnight deadline, ensuring their creation was fit to take on the competition.

“ROOK and the boys did great." said Pumphrey. “The team won the award for the highest seeded rookie team and for creativity for the innovative design of the drive system.”

Raytheon, a sponsor of robotics teams and competitions across the nation, signed on back in the fall to give BC High technical and financial support for the new robotics program.

“We’re really grateful for this support,” said Pumphrey. “We’ve had a great showing of support and interest from the school community. Raytheon’s support gives us a critical boost in getting our program going.” Pumphrey spurred the creation of the team after joining BC High’s faculty this past fall.

FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Raytheon’s support of FIRST is a component of its MathMovesU program, an initiative to engage students in the excitement of math and science — and help create the next generation of innovators for the United States. Since the program was launched in 2005, it has touched the lives of more than 1 million students, teachers and parents nationwide. The new team has also gained support from JCPenny, the PTC Corporation, and parent volunteers.