Ferradermis, Whitewater High School’s FIRST Robotics Team, is incredibly excited to announce that they have received a NASA sponsorship for the second consecutive year! Ferradermis is one of only 3 teams in Wisconsin to receive this $5000 grant, and the only veteran team from the state to claim this sponsorship for the 2020 season. Congratulations to rookie teams #8002 The Knack from Lake Country School in Hartland and Sparta Robotans, Team #8024, from Sparta High School for becoming NASA sponsored teams as well.
Ferradermis members are also raising funds to purchase robot supplies by selling raffle tickets for the FIRST Wisconsin Raffle. Tickets are being sold for $3 each or 4 for $10. The grand prize is $1500 cash with a second prize of $1000 cash, and a third prize of a large screen TV. The drawing will be held on Sunday, February 16, when the team travels to a practice regional at Sussex Hamilton High School. If you are interested in purchasing tickets to help support the team, please email ferradermis@gmail.com or contact Laura Masbruch (lmasbruch@wwusd.org) at the high school, and the team will send someone your way!
The team would like to thank its many Whitewater community business sponsors as well. Many local businesses sponsor the team annually and make it possible for this learning opportunity to exist for Whitewater High School students. Generac, Lavelle Industries, Mr. Sticky Fly Control, LSP Whitewater, First Citizens State Bank, HSI Rentals, Ketterhagen Motors, Whitewater Family Dentistry, Kikkoman Foods, DLK Enterprises, and Culver’s have all contributed to fund the team this fall. Team members recently had the opportunity to do a presentation for the crew at LSP Whitewater and would be happy to organize a presentation for a business sponsor or community group at any time.
One large project the team is taking on this fall is a collaboration with the high school Technology and Engineering teachers to make upgrades and repairs to the school shop. Much of the equipment in the shop is aging (the lathes were purchased used in 1965) and in need of repair or replacement. Recently, local maintenance engineer Troy Clauer was able to track down a used mill which the school purchased. Troy and other adult mentors have been working diligently to get the mill up and running and to make repairs to other equipment in the shop. Both Ferradermis members and students in technology and engineering classes are looking forward to increasing the capability to manufacture their own parts. The team’s next goal is to get the equipment in place to be able to weld aluminum.
Ferradermis will kick off its 2020 season when the new game is unveiled on January 4.
