GD Robotics Gears Up for 2019 Season

Groton Dunstable Robotics Team Gears Up For 2019 Season

The Groton Dunstable High School Robotics team, “The Robotomies” is gearing up for the 2019 FIRST Robotics “Destination: Deep Space” competitions.  These budding engineers and future scientists have been meeting weekly since September.


Preseason Activities

At the end of last year, the upperclassmen reflected on the season and decided to improve upon the student Team Manager model. The Team Manager and the Senior Team Leads are running skills workshops like: Pneumatics, Woodworking, Programming, and Milling to educate and strengthen the team’s dynamics.

In November the team is busy with outreach activities.  On November 16th, the team and the robot will attend a Providence Bruins game. During period breaks, the team will demonstrate the robot and answer questions.  Also, some of the senior students are helping local Girl Scouts the earn STEM robotics and programming badge by teaching programming of LEGO MindStorms robots.

Competition season kickoff

January 5th is kickoff!  About 3000 high school teams are given the details of the FIRST Robotics challenge and their kit of parts.  The team only has six weeks to design, build, program, and test the robot.

Competition info

The competitions are exciting events and we welcome your visit. For more information, visit the Robotomies’ web site at team1277.org or Facebook at  “GD Team 1277”.

  • The first competition – Salem, NH February 28 – March 2
  • The  second competition – Bedford, NH March 15-17

Your support is essential

The Robotics team depends on volunteer mentors and funding.  The team is looking for mentors who have experience in machining, engineering, programming, marketing, and project management.  All funding for the Robotics team is privately raised as no money from the school budget is allocated for this team. Please support these motivated, curious, and dedicated young men and women.

The Robotomies would like to thank the current sponsors who provide funding for the entrance fees for the FIRST competitions and for materials.  Also, a thank you to Mr. Mark Rocheleau, the Engineering and Technology teacher at the High School. If you have questions or would like to help support the Robotics team, please contact Mark at mrocheleau@gdrsd.org.

Thank you 2018 and 2019 sponsors

  • Raytheon Company – IDS Communications
  • Solidworks
  • Hollingsworth & Vose Company
  • L-3 Advanced Programs
  • The Society for American Military Engineers
  • Mercury Systems
  • GDEF
  • IBM Northeast
  • Draper and The Breton Family
  • Local families: The Hughsons, The DiFrancos, The Battles, The McKinleys, The Hans, The Prescotts, and Mr. Priestley
  • Additional sponsorships are welcomed and appreciated


Thank you,
Susan Prescott
Publicity for the GDRHS Robotics Team
Nov 5, 2018