Tewksbury School To Host New England Robotics Derby

TEWKSBURY, MA — Robotics teams from across the region will come to Tewksbury Memorial High School next month for the second annual New England Robotics Derby.

More information on the competition is included in the press release below:

More than 32 robotics teams from across New England and New York, and nearly a thousand spectators will converge on Tewksbury Memorial High School for the second annual New England Robotics Derby on October 14, 2023. Co-hosted by Tewksbury and Billerica high school teams, the venue at 320 Pleasant Street, Tewksbury was chosen for its size and accessibility.

The event will begin at 8 AM with qualification matches as team robots work their way through the challenge field. After lunch, the Top 8 teams will select their elimination alliances. N.E.R.D. offers free admission, and the event is open to the public. Battle Bots robots will also be on display, and spectators are welcome to view the Bots and ask questions.

Proceeds from food and merchandise sales will benefit the Tewksbury Titans and Billerica Bionics high school robotics programs. Organizers are looking for sponsors to help offset the costs of presenting the event and setting up the venue.

FIRST Robotics teams are partnerships between industry and educators with the goal of exposing students to the STEM fields. Teams from all over the world are presented with a challenge in the form of a game and given eight weeks to design, build, program, and refine their designs.

FIRST, which stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” is a global nonprofit that works to advance STEM education in schools. It was founded in 1989 by Segway inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen and has its headquarters in Manchester, NH. Beyond the robotics competition, the nonprofit provides educational resources and programs for students of all ages, such as the LEGO League Challenge aimed at 9-to-14 year olds.

Tewksbury has participated in FIRST robotics for more than 15 years, with a new functionality required of the robot each spring as each challenge course is revealed. In Tewksbury, eighth graders can join the TMHS Titans FRC Team 1474. The team meets on Fridays at the high school.

Off season events such as N.E.R.D. are critical training grounds for new recruits. The fast-paced winter/spring build season requires hours of work designing, building and refining the robots as teams continue to innovate and push the envelope in their competitions.

Teams are run by volunteer mentors, most with day jobs in industry. Mentors have diverse backgrounds, from accounting and marketing to mechanical and electrical engineering. Students compete for more than $20 million in college scholarships. Reps from UMass Lowell, UMass Dartmouth, University of Southern Maine, Western New England and Merrimack College will attend the Oct. 14 event.

“Robotics is the only sport where every kid can go pro,” says Kamen. “There is a job out there for every one of these students.”

Residents are invited to come by and check out the robots. Sponsorships are available from $50 up to a Platinum level. Organizers also welcome in-kind donations of plywood, hardboard or luan to protect the gym floor from the robots; gaffers tape to mark the playing field; cable ties of all sizes; and event lighting services. The team is also in need of food and beverage donations from local businesses to sell as concessions. Sponsors will have the chance to be in front of spectators and will be recognized on the Twitch streaming service. Donations are fully tax deductible.

To learn more about sponsorships, make a donation of goods, or ask questions, please contact Blake Bourque at blake@newenglandroboticsderby.com.