Cherokee Coleman
The Newark Tech Robotics team has done so well this school year. The team started in 2013. Later in the year the team was given the name, the “Terrier Byte Bots”.
Two years later under the leadership of Newark Tech robotics teachers Mr. Raiford and Mr. Perez, the team went from being just an afterschool club to a full-fledged curriculum centered around FTC (First Tech. Challenge) and FRC (First Robotics Challenge).
“In one year, we see ourselves as being one of the top 5 Robotics teams in the state of New Jersey,” Newark Tech Robotics Teacher, Mr. Raiford, said. “We want to show the elite schools that urban students can do it, too”
Last year the Terrier Byte Bots, during the FTC season, received recognition through various awards handed out at the competitions. Some include: NJFTC 2014/2015”Casade Effect” Judges Award and FRC MAR Finalist for the Mt. Olive Robotics Event.
The Newark robotics team took 2nd place (FTC) in the Bayonne High School competition and also took 2nd place (FRC) in the Mt. Olive High School competition. They are ranked 7th in the State last year, and are currently ranked 10th. On Feb. 7, 2016 Newark Tech placed 3rd in the Northern Semi- Finals.
This year’s team consists of 16 students. 11 of them are in the 9th grade, 2 in the 10th, 1 in the 11th and 2 in the 12th grade.
“The team has consistently worked outside of the box, new ideas always came about when resources were limited,” Israel Alford, 12th grade student at Newark Tech High School.