Photo provided Members of the Columbus Robotics’ Team 4926, known as GalacTech, are shown with the IMPACT Award at the 2024 FRC FIN District Columbus Event this past weekend at Columbus East High School.
Columbus Robotics’ Team 4926, known as GalacTech, earned the IMPACT Award at the 2024 FRC FIN District Columbus Event this past weekend at Columbus East High School.
The award is the most prestigious given in For Inspiration and Recognition of Science (FIRST) Robotics and honors the squad that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST, according to the FIRST website. There were 34 teams competing in the event.
Earning the award automatically qualifies GalacTech for the 2024 FIRST Indiana State Championship held in Lafayette from April 5 to April 7.
Program founder Sam Geckler said the team’s robot, Groovin Green, was highly capable of playing this year’s first game, called “Crescendo,” but some software and wiring issues meant the team was not selected by an alliance for the playoffs at the event. However, the IMPACT award is something the team has been seeking for 11 years, Geckler said.
FIRST Robotics Competition involves high school teams, under strict rules and with limited time and resources, to create a team, a brand and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against other high school team competitors. The program is designed to teach real-world engineering skills.
Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Each season ends with a FIRST Championship.
GalacTech typically plays in two district events each season and will next compete in the FIN District Washington Event from March 28 to March 30 at Washington High School, Geckler said.
Learn more about Columbus Robotics at team4926.org.
