The Ferndale High School robotics team competed in its second competition this past weekend and was able to make it all the way to the finals.  After two strong showings at its competitions, the team finished the season ranked 29th out of 193 Michigan high school teams.  This has earned the team the honor of being invited to compete in the Michigan State Championship competition on April 12-14 to vie for the title of state champion.

The 20 students on the team spent six weeks working tireless hours designing, building, programming and testing a robot to play a game similar to basketball.  While working together with teachers and engineering mentors, the students learn engineering fundamentals in a fun and challenging competition atmosphere.  Graduating students have been inspired by the what they have learned on the robotics team to go on to the engineering programs at U of M, Michigan Tech, Kettering, and even MIT.

To compete at the state championship, the team is fundraising to obtain the money for the entrance fee, lodging, and other expenses.  As a high-tech and environmentally friendly fundraiser, the students have been selling household LED light bulbs that are more energy efficient than incandescent and even compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs.  Unlike CFLs, they have no mercury and give off a much more natural light.  Any person or business wanting to help out the team that would like to purchase the LED light bulbs or can help in any other way possible, please contact one of the engineering mentors at Jeffrey.Shewell@gmail.com.