If you attend high student in East Hartford, the Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy, Tolland, Manchester, Coventry, Rockville or Bolton and like engineering, math, science and computer technology , then RAGE may be what you are looking for.

RAGE, an acronym for Robotics and Gadget Engineering, is not about anger management, but rather cultivating teamwork by combining these engineering skills.

On Sept. 23, RAGE-173 conducted an open house seeking new members to join their robotics team. Together, they will design and build a robot that will enter regional competitions throughout the year.

RAGE is an offshoot of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, or FIRST, that was founded in 1989 in New Hampshire by Dean Kamen . FIRST has a mission “To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”

Lindsey Davidson, a junior at Tolland High School and vice president of the club, gave a Power Point presentation explaining the different components of RAGE-173 .

“We have Animation that produces videos for the competition,” she told the group. “Solidworks is another part of the club that designs parts for the robot. Then we have our Build Team that actually assembles the various sections and builds the robot. Next is our Pit Crew that diagnosis problems and changes parts during a match. They do all of this from a 10-foot by 10-foot area. Our Programming members make sure the arms and wheels are functioning. They also control the overdrive for the autonomous mode of the competition. Our Spirit section makes buttons, brings our mascot the bulldog and cheers on the members. Lastly, there is our Drive Team that actually operates the robot during the match.”

After the presentation, prospective members were invited to watch demonstrations and ask questions. Some even were allowed to drive the robot.

Justin Clavet, a sophomore at Bolton High School, is one of the newest to join the RAGE-173 Team.

“I’m brand new at this,” he said smiling . “I am really looking forward to the regional matches in Hartford.”

“My older sister got involved,” remarked Emily Davidson, a sophomore at Tolland High School. “I came to my first meeting and was hooked. It is really cool. This is my second year.”

This year’s competition is called “Lunacy .” The robot must weigh between 120 to 135 pounds, stand no more than five feet in height and be battery powered . It will pull a trailer in a playing area 54-foot by 27-foot . Opponents will attempt to fill it with “moon rocks,” worth 2 points, “super cells” worth 15 points and “empty cells” that are worth nothing. The “rocks” are made from a soft, pliable material. To make things more interesting, each machine will have slippery wheels to make driving more difficult.

The first 15 seconds of the match the robot will be in automatic mode, and rival teams can easily throw the “rocks” into the trailer. For the remaining two minutes, the Drive Team takes over and controls the machine.

“This is great for the kids, they learn how to network,” explained Paul and Marie Cusson of Rockville. “We have been involved for nine years now and have three daughters in engineering schools. Now our son is a member of the team.”

“It is the most exciting opportunity to be involved with math, science and physics and have fun doing it,” commented Adult Team Leader Charles Nystrom, a science teacher at East Hartford High School. “Engineering makes the world a better place. We can make a difference.”

For additional information or to become a member of RAGE-173 contact Charles Nystrom at 622-5200 .