TETRA gears up for second year of competition

Tualatin students enjoy the ‘sport’ of the FIRST robotics challenges

By Jennifer Clampet

The Times, Jan 31, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jennifer Clampet / The Times

GEARING UP — Tualatin High senior Devon Frazier and junior Izak Filmalter look over the design for the Tualatin High robotics team’s mechanical design. The Tualatin Engineering, Technology and Robotics Association team plans to compete at several competitions this year with hopes of making it to nationals.

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TUALATIN – A robotics craze is blasting off in the Portland area. And with a sponsorship from NASA and a budget of about $20,000 this year, the Tualatin High School robotics team has a drive to make its way to the national competition

The FIRST robotics program experienced a 100 percent growth this year in the Portland area. The nonprofit group had seven schools create robotics teams this year for a total of 14 teams in the Portland area and 23 in the state of Oregon, said Deb Mumm-Hill, Pacific Northwest director for FIRST. Nationally, the program grows by about 200 teams a year with 1,500 teams competing this school year.

FIRST, which stands for “For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” is an organization dedicated to inspiring young people to become leaders in science and technology.

“We’re just getting the word out,” Mumm-Hill said.

Last week the Tualatin Engineering, Technology and Robotics Association (TETRA) was gearing up for its second year as a participant in the FIRST Robotics Competition, to be held the weekend of Feb. 28 at Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

And according to the 30 Tualatin High students intent on competing this year, FIRST has created a craze around robotics.

“It’s growing fast in Oregon,” said junior Izak Filmalter, a second-year team member. “And for engineers, it’s more like a sport.”

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