CV's 'Girls of Steel' Join in Robotics Competition

Four students helped build robots for this year’s FIRST Robotics Competition in Pittsburgh.

Mackenzie Ferris, Jen Rickens, Alex Roth and Mansi Mann are competing with their Girls of Steel Robotics team that pits their robot, Watson, against others in the “Rebound Rumble” at the Petersen Events Center in Oakland.

The teams spent six weeks designing and building their robots to compete in various events. For the Girls of Steel, they’re competing in a basketball shooting competition.

The competition, which continues through the weekend, had some scary moments Thursday afternoon whenacross the street.

According to a press release from FIRST Robotics, everyone was safe and kept inside the arena so as not to hamper the police response.

“Students are continuing to play practice rounds and work on their robots while we wait for the lockdown to be released. At this time we advise anyone headed in tonight to wait until they know for sure that it’s safe,” the release stated. “Meanwhile, the music is playing, the robots are running, and everyone is safe here at the Pete.”

Sherri Ferris, the mother of Mackenzie, said a SWAT officer occasionally strolled through the building, but there were no other problems.

The competition began Friday and morning and continues until Saturday night. Anyone can watch the competition live via the Internet by clicking on www.theredalliance.com/competition and searching for Girls of Steel Team 3504.

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