Employees, Robotics Help Inspire Albany STEM Students

Exemplifying National Grid’s commitment to developing students and future leaders, upstate NY Gas Operations supervisors Brett Morey and Jacob Ennis recently mentored Albany High School students competing in the NY Tech Valley FIRST Robotics Competition. The two volunteered their expertise as engineers, but even more importantly, they inspired students to put STEM – education in science, technology, engineering and math – into action.

On Saturday, March 21, more than 1,800 students on 36 teams participated in the competition, held at RPI. With support from teachers and Brett and Jacob, the Albany High School students designed, built, and programmed their robot, which placed sixth in the competition. The students, teachers and mentors devoted significant time and effort to the competition and worked 10 hours a week for months to prepare for the big day.

“What we’ve learned is just how valuable a program like this is to the future,” said Jacob. “These kids are excited, and they should be. They’ve worked hard and the payoff is seeing the robot they’ve designed, built, tested and revised dozens of times work, and work well.”

To check out the robot along with media coverage of the event, see the links below.

Robots abound – Times Union Pine Hills blog

Local news:
Students STEM creative thinking using robotics
RPI hosts high school robotics competition
Robotics STEM creativity of Albany High students

You can watch the matches here

Have a look at the team photos

View the competition pictures