Many high school students around the world in the robotics club look forward to this one day of the year that can change their whole lives around and fortify their creativity. This day is known as Kickoff, the event where teams learn about the challenges of the upcoming build season and begin their journey to create the best robots.
FIRST robotics is a nonprofit organization that provides robot programs for students world-wide. High schools integrate FIRST into their robotics clubs. Each year FIRST conducts a game reveal in which students formulate ideas to design a robot that meets the year’s challenges. This year the game is called REEFSCAPE, where teams are eager to know what the game will entail during their local Kickoff.
The Ossining Engineering Club has participated in FIRST Robotics Competitions since 2012, winning awards considering their design and the impact they made on the community. The club has been able to attend FIRST Championship in Houston Texas consecutively over the past two years and many times years prior. Their persistence in spreading STEM is inspiring through Hour of Code events, Robot tours, and many more. Their accomplishments shine through their character and dedication to STEM. During their past robotics season, CRESCENDO, where teams had to intake and shoot “notes” (orange rings) to gain points, the OEC was able to go to the FIRST Championships in Houston, Texas through achieving the Engineering Inspiration Award in the New York City Regional Competition. This award indicated their outstanding accomplishments in outreach for their community.
The Ossining Engineering Club (OEC) organized its own kickoff for this year’s build season on the first Saturday of January, which
they had previously as well organized the year prior. This event was organized by many members of the club notably, President, Massimo Giambona, and Vice President, Marisol Berrezuetta. Additionally, including the support of their mentors who are teachers in Ossining High School, Douglas Albrecht, Mark Scinta and many more. The event was located at the auditorium and engineering room of Ossining High School where many schools from the Hudson Valley attended such as Nanuet and Clarkstown North High School.
The day began with teams attending from all over the Hudson Valley. Attendees networked with each other catching up or learning about other teams’ experiences in their robotics club. Justin Rodriguez, head of the CAD (Computer Aided Design) department of OEC, brought a warm welcome to all the teams explaining the day’s agenda and introducing each presenter to the stage.
Justin first welcomed Kevin Vunic, former president and alumni of Nanuets Robotics. Following Kevin’s inspiring words on his time in his robotics team, Mia Gunn, former president and alumna of the OEC, delivered an outstanding speech following her lessons about her time in the club and her applications from FIRST to the real world. Ossining High School’s engineering teacher, Mr. Albrect introduced Marsha Earl, an influential member of the FIRST community in her role in the Hudson Valley Regional. Marsha discussed the importance of volunteering in local competitions and provided tips for teams looking to enter for awards. 
Justin Rodriquez added concluding remarks, while the whole room was anticipating the long wait for the 2025 REEFSCAPE Kickoff Game Reveal video. Once this occurred, everyone was gazing attentively at the screen, already formulating ideas of this year’s robot, and imploding remarks and “oohs and aahs” about the video demonstrating the community FIRST has made in the Hudson Valley.
FIRST revealed that teams will have to design robots that would be able to collect and place “coral” pieces (PVC Pipe) on branches up to 6 feet to help maintain the reef and gain points. Robots will also have to take “algae” (Kickball) out of the reef into a processor to gain points. The goal of the game is for the robot to complete these challenges in collaboration with other teams in a time frame of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. This information sparked enthusiasm among the teams, prompting lively discussions about the game.
Teams were directed to discussion rooms, where OEC members opened up the rulebook, formulated strategies, and answered questions about specific rules. The Ossining Engineering Club was thrilled about the impact they had on participating teams during the Kickoff event and looks forward to hosting many more in the future.
