The teams each took different approaches to this year's competition:

• Team 4174, Atomic Theory, used a repeating catapult to launch game balls into the scoring basket.
• Team 9371, General Relativity, combined computer vision software with an onboard camera to lock on to targets.
• Team 11453, Uncertainty Principle, built a shooting mechanism out of two soft flywheels that could quickly launch multiple balls into the baskets at once.

Despite having an incredibly difficult schedule, Uncertainty Principle managed a 7-2 record in qualifying matches and was ranked #3 in their division going into the playoffs.  Atomic Theory was close behind but lost their last match to drop to #6.  In the other division, General Relativity started the competition strong, but couldn't keep up with the speed of some of their competitors launching mechanisms.

The format of the playoffs was draft-style, with the top four teams choosing their partners from any of the teams.  Uncertainty Principle hoped to be able to choose Atomic Theory, but  Geared Up from Rome, NY chose Atomic Theory as the number two overall pick.  Uncertainty Principle selected the Brainstormers from Lexington, MA and faced the Geared UP-Atomic alliance in the first round of the playoffs.  They knew they'd need their best match of the season to win, and that's exactly what they delivered, putting up 305 points (5 points under the current world record).  Atomic was knocked out of the competition, and Uncertainty Principle moved on to the finals, where they lost in three matches.

Please join me in congratulating all of the students for their hard work and success, and wishing them luck at the World Championship!

Story provided by Michael Sloan Warren
Photos provided by Charlie Forster