The Indian Hills Robotics Club, co-captained by seniors Christopher Morrison and Juliana Kulmala, worked for the last six months on their robot for the Annual North Jersey Robotics Competition (ANJRC). Mrs. Greene, math and computer science teacher, and Mr. Fazio, applied technology teacher, are the club’s advisors, providing guidance to the students. The team received the competition rules and goals in February and held meetings bi-weekly until the competition. The event took place on May seventh and ninth at Passaic County Community College. 

The challenges assigned were diverse, and included multiple tasks: “The first was to construct an arm that would draw a geometric shape up to 5 feet in the air without the original build exceeding 2 feet (meaning we had to build an extending arm). Second, in the effort of stopping oil spills affecting wildlife we had to sort rubber ducks and ping pong balls into different bins. Balls representing oil and rubber ducks representing wildlife. The final assessment was a timed obstacle course,” Chris Morrison explained. 

Morrison added, “My favorite memory was the bus ride home after we won. The competition was finally over and our team won, so we had the entire bus ride back to brag to Ramapo.” This year’s team is made up of mostly seniors, making the years to come unclear. Morrison encourages other students to “step up” to the challenge. 

The team won 6 trophies: 1st Place Drawing Challenge, 1st Place Obstacle Course Challenge, 2nd Place Oil Spill Challenge, 2nd Place Science and Technology Award, Best of Show Award, and the NJRC Champion Award.

Robotics Club Competition Participants: Christopher Morrison, Juliana Kulmala, Evan Cuello, Nico Tucci, Brandon Patoray, Evan Wands, Elijah Diaz, Ben Wuensch, Matthew Khanlian, Mark Lleshi, Rida Wager.