Harding places fourth in robotics

WARREN -- Warren G. Harding High School's robotics team placed fourth in its division at the FIRST Robotics National Championship in Orlando, Fla..
Chris Neifer, project coordinator, said the team of 60 Harding students advanced Saturday to the semifinal competition, where it was defeated by the team that won the division.
The FIRST, or For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, championship included about 290 teams.
The teams had to design and build the robots to complete tasks. This year's entries had to grab a soccer-size ball, maneuver it into the goal area and position itself into a point-scoring area.
Dimensions of the robot were limited to 30 inches wide, 36 inches long and 60 inches high, and it could not weigh more than 130 pounds.
This is the squad's fifth competition year.
The main sponsor of ELITE, or Encourage Learning in Technology and Engineering, is Delphi Packard Electric Systems in Warren, which provided money and professional support.
"The kids were fantastic," Neifer said. "We really had a great season."
Teams competing in the national contest had to advance from regional competition.
Chaney High School in Youngstown also competed in the contest.