After being granted co-curricular status during the pandemic, the school’s Robotics team made a name for itself at the Wolcott States Competition, winning several accolades.

The Team qualified three robots for the Wolcott Competition. The Gearcats were able to withstand pressure and finish the qualifying rounds in fourth place overall out of 27 teams.

All three of the teams protoype robots won awards at the competition.

Team A competed with the “H bot” — named for its peculiar H-shaped drivetrain. Team A won honorable mention and the Design Award for creativity.

The Gearcat’s B Team competed with its prototype, the “Octobot,” which was named for its octagonal drivetrain. This design also achieved accolades, including a Design Award. 

Instead of competing with a more agile robot, Team C worked with “Frank the Tank,” which was assembled using heavier materials. Team C was the highest scorer for the Gearcats and played a vital role in securing a success for the team. 

The Gearcats also earned an Outreach Award for teaching students at the New Canaan Elementary School fundamental concepts in engineering by exploring the usages and descriptions of script robots.

Their success at the Wolcott Competition qualifyed the team for the Connecticut State Championships, which the team attended on February 18.

At States, all robots made the finals and the Team earned three awards ­— first place alliance, second place alliance, and a Motivate Award.

The Gearcats have grown as a team this past year and look forward to future successes. Team member Tessie Connell ’25 noted an increase in enthusiasm for Robotics among students, saying, “With three robots competing, this was a great improvement from last year when we only had one robot attending.”