If youattend 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 youare 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 youngpeople 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’scompetition 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 yearsnow 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 .