WUSD Computer Science and Robotics News

Whippets Earn 3rd Place at MSOE Computer Programming Contest

On Friday, November 16, 14 current and former WHS computer programming students competed at the Milwaukee School of Engineering Opportunity Conference Computer Programming Competition with 67 teams representing 19 southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois high schools. Other participating schools included Brookfield Central, Cary-Grove, Cedarburg, Janesville Craig, Crystal Lake Central, Eisenhower, Fort Atkinson, Homestead, Marquette University HS, Menomonee Falls, Milton, New Berlin West, Janesville Parker, Prairie Ridge, Rufus King, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, and a homeschool team. A team from Homestead High School won the competition with a team from Brookfield Central placing second. Whitewater Team A, consisting of Zach Brantmeier, Colin Chenoweth, Cassi Hoxie, and Nick Kuzoff, placed 3rd, earning 161 out of 210 possible points and solving 8 of the 9 problems correctly. Team B included Nikole Pelot, Gwynne Sahyun, and Nicole Sedmak. Team C was made up of Broderick Frye, Cody Rupke, and Jon Zheng, while Team D included Jakob Klawitter, Bennett Miles, Luke Rule, and Andy Vo. Teams were given nine problems of varying difficulty that could be solved using Java with a time limit of 2.5 hours using two laptops. Teams could select to spend their time on 10 point problems, 20 point problems, and/or 40 point problems. Each incorrect submission resulted in a minus three points.


Students Compete in Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge

In early November, 48 Whitewater High School computer science students participated in the online Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge. The challenge gave students 45 minutes to solve 15 problems of varying difficulties meant to challenge students’ logic and computational thinking skills. Each problem was worth either 6, 9, or 12 points depending on difficulty, with a total of 200 points available. Freshmen and sophomores competed in the junior division while juniors and seniors competed in the senior division. Freshman Andrew Rollette finished with 156 points, achieving the high score in the junior division. Also scoring high in the junior division were Crystal Chan, Anthony Cano, and Kevin Dieter. Junior Colin Chenoweth scored 192 points in the senior division, achieving the high score for the school and matching the high score in the state of Wisconsin. Also scoring high in the senior division were Zach Brantmeier, Nick Kuzoff, and Brian Apgar.


Ferradermis earns NASA Grant

Ferradermis is pleased to announce that they are the recipient of a $5000 Program Growth Grant from NASA that will help cover the cost of registration for regional competitions this year. Ferradermis was one of 192 teams (out of over 7500 existing FIRST Robotics teams worldwide) that was selected for a NASA grant; only three other Wisconsin teams will receive a grant from NASA. For more information on the NASA Grant program, visit https://robotics.nasa.gov/news_feature.php?id=631.


Ferradermis Takes Part in FIRST Robotics Training Day

Members of Ferradermis traveled to Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee on Saturday, November 17, to participate in a FIRST Robotics Training Day. Students attended sessions on leadership, fundraising, robot wiring, pneumatics, drive trains, safety, planning, and inspections among other things. They will be able to share their newfound knowledge with other members as we prepare for our six-week build season starting in January.


Ferradermis Visits Generac

On Thursday, November 29, members of Ferradermis traveled to Generac’s Whitewater Facility for a tour of the plant and a question and answer period. Carissa Petzinger, an engineer for Generac, serves as Co-Lead Coach for the team. Generac has been a strong financial sponsor for the team since it began in the fall of 2016.


Ferradermis to Hold Toppers DoughNation Night Fundraiser

On Tuesday, December 4, Ferradermis will receive 20% of the sales for all orders between 2:00 and 8:00 at the Whitewater Toppers. You do not need to turn in a flier or do anything special to credit the team; all you need to do is order from Toppers during that time frame. Please help spread the word!

Share This
Posted in