Keenan Robo- Raiders winners catch the attention of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Contributed by Richland School District One

The Robo- Raiders, the Keenan High School robotics team, won the Chairman's Award at the FIRST Palmetto Regional robotics competition hosted by Clemson University on March 29. Pictured on the left is Evolution, the robot created by Keenan High School students. Evolution competes against robots from 37 states in the FIRST Palmetto Regional robotics competition at Clemson University in March.

The Robo- Raiders, Keenan High School's robotics team, stood to the cheers and applause of a thousand spectators, competitors, and supporters as members accepted The Chairman's Award at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Palmetto Regional Robotics Competition held March 29 at Clemson University.

The Chairman's Award, the highest possible honor that can be bestowed on a team in the FIRST competition, recognizes exemplary teams that best embody the goals and purpose of the competition. The Keenan students and Evolution, the robot they created, competed against rivals from 37 states during Saturday's event.

The Robo-Raiders were recognized as trailblazers for their commitment to creating new technology, advocating literacy initiatives, teaching, and forming alliances that have made them national role models. The Robo- Raiders also won the award in 2006.

During the regional contest, the team demonstrated the telepresence amusement park ride, an invention of the Robo- Raiders that allows its "riders" to experience the feeling of their favorite theme park ride regardless of age or physical ability.

That invention recently caught the interest of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Their history of excellence includes presentations to BellSouth, summer camps supported by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and EdVenture Children's Museum, and the creation of life- size puppets for theater productions and outreach. The team also has revamped a school library and presented at the 2007 SC Association of School Librarians conference. The Robo- Raiders recently hosted their region's FIRST Lego League and mentored a robotics team at Sanders Middle School.

As the regional Chairman's Award winner, the Keenan team has been invited to the 2008 FIRST Championship in Atlanta April 17- 19 where they will compete against 40 other regional winners in a showdown that will be televised by NASA.

The Robo- Raiders are seeking financial assistance to help cover travel expenses to Atlanta. For more information, contact team leader Dr. Martin Cwiakala at 714- 2500 or make checks payable to the Keenan Foundation and mail them to the attention of the Robo-Raiders, Keenan High School, 361 Pisgah Church Road, Columbia, SC 29203.