<p>For the first time in Pingry history, the Robotics team FRC 2577 won a district competition, emerging victorious in an Alliance with Team 75 from Hillsborough and Team 56 from Bound Brook at the Mid-Atlantic Robotics FIRST Robotics Competition at Mt. Olive High School in early March. This district competition featured nearly 40 teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.</p><p>Robotics is part of Pingry's science department's growing research program. It inspires students to be leaders in science and technology by engaging in applied science. "The ability to teach basic machining skills and have a very competitive student-built robot is important to the program's goal of bringing authentic engineering to our students," said Pingry Robotics advisor and science teacher Jeffrey Jenkins.</p><p>"I've always thought of engineering as problem-solving," said Pingry senior and Robotics co-captain Neil Holman. "Our job is to solve a problem each year in efficient and often creative ways. Materials, sizing parameters, and complexity of systems are the biggest challenges we face. Some of the more exciting parts of Robotics are working with other teams and learning how they solved the same problem."</p><p>This particular robotics competition is organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), whose mission is to inspire young people around the world to participate in science and technology. Two key aspects of the FIRST Robotics Programs are "Gracious Professionalism" (encouraging high-quality work and emphasizing the same values as Pingry's Honor Code) and "Coopertition" (learning from teammates and displaying unqualified kindness and respect in competition).</p><p><a href="http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2014/03/pingy_school_in_basking_ridges.html">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113104793/robotics-teams-headed-to-world-championships-032614/">High School Robotics Teams Headed To World Championships</a> (RedOrbit)</p><p><a href="http://sagharboronline.com/sagharborexpress/page-1/pierson-robotics-team-heads-to-first-competition-with-confidence-29165">Pierson Robotics Team Heads to FIRST Competition with Confidence</a> (The Sag Harbor Express)</p><p><a href="http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140326/NJNEWS10/303260018/Robotics-teams-compete-Bridgewater">Robotics teams to compete in Bridgewater</a> (MyCentralJersey.com)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=drcLci799kldc4MRe8sOj9l9DeiBM&authuser=0&ned=us">36 additional articles.</a></p>