In The Media

One mark of a successful FIRST robotics team is its effectiveness in spreading the message of FIRST to the community. An indicator of the success of this mission is how often a team is featured in the local media. Moreover, team coverage satisfies team sponsors and may help teams gain and retain donors. Below, we have listed WBI 461 and local robotics media coverage. Check back often!

Mar. 7, 2010: "You Go, Girls"

by Susan O'Leary, nwi.com
Lego robotics, mentoring program give young females step up in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Jan. 25, 2010: "Robotics team holds dodgeball tourney"

by Justin Mack, Lafayette Journal and Courier
Nearly 100 students participated in the first-ever dodgeball tournament hosted by Westside Boiler Invasion.

Mar. 26, 2009: "Purdue students work hard at robotics regional "

by Eric Schneider, Purdue Exponent
Hosted by Purdue FIRST Programs, Robotics teams from the midwest region came to battle for this year's Boilermaker Regional Winner award.

Mar. 21, 2009: "Robot battles geared to learning"

by Eric Weddle, Lafayette Journal and Courier
Purdue hosted the Boilermaker Regional where numerous teams competed in this years FIRST Robotics game, Lunacy.

Feb. 16, 2009: "Students unveil their robotic creations "

by Michael Malik, Lafayette Journal and Courier
Robots did not take over, but stole the show at the West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School Robotics Presentations.

Feb. 15, 2009: "FIRST Robotics Teams show off robots "

by Michael Malik, WLFI
Some local high school students got a chance to show off their newly constructed robots.

Feb. 18, 2008: "Local high school students have ball displaying robots "

by Eric Weddle, Journal and Courier
The three Purdue FIRST Teams gather to show off and present the projects they have completed in the 6-week time period.

Mar. 18, 2007: "North White's robot a winner"

by Bob Scott, Lafayette Journal and Courier
One of WBI 461's mentored teams--Team Pulse (1555)--was on the alliance that won the Boilermaker Regional. That alliance defeated WBI 461 and sister team HBR 1747 in the finals.

Mar. 15, 2007: "Local team hopes robot's best days are ahead of it"

by Brian Wallheimer, Lafayette Journal and Courier
This article highlights the challenges that sister team 1646 had this season.

Mar. 9, 2007: "Robot teams hit the mat at Purdue 'sporting' competition"

by Cynthia Sequin, Purdue News Service
The article talks about the 2007 FIRST Robotics season and the third Boilermaker Regional. It can be found here.

Mar. 1, 2007: "Freshman enjoys robotics, helps high schoolers"

by Brittany Johnson, Purdue Exponent
The article talks about Eric Kopczynski and his involvement with Purdue FIRST Robotics and local FRC teams. It can be found here.

June 30, 2006: "Robotics program receives state technology grant"

by Cynthia Sequin, Purdue News Service
The article covers Purdue FIRST Programs, Jefferson Robotics, and Purdue's EPICS Program. It highlights how the state is pushing technology and engineering education. It can be found here.

Mar. 26, 2006: "Shannon Schnepp: Role models are crucial to success"

featured in the Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article introduces Shannon Schnepp, engineer at Johnson Controls and a Purdue graduate. Shannon was instrumental in the creation of team WBI 461.

Mar. 15, 2006: "FIRST teams take the court"

by Tanya Brown, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article talks about the second Boilermaker Regional.

Mar. 8, 2006: "Robot teams face off at Purdue 'sporting' competition"

by Cynthia Sequin, Purdue News Service
The article talks the second Boilermaker Regional. It can be found here.

Spring 2006: "Students in Action: FIRST Robotics Competition"

featured in the Purdue Engineering Alumni Association E-Letter
The article talks about what FIRST is and how Purdue is involved. It can be found here.

Feb. 20, 2006: "Students Compete in Robotics Competition "

by Emily Parker, Lafayette News Channel 18
The article covers the Open House, hosted at Lafayette Jefferson High School. It can be found here.

Feb. 20, 2006: "Students' robots show off hoops' skills in preview of competition"

by Emilie Bauer, Lafayette Journal and Courier
This article highlights our Open House, held in conjunction with Teams 1646 and 1747.

Feb. 18, 2006: "FIRST Robotics student teams ready for opening"

by Erin Smith, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article explains how Harrison Boiler Robotics fought through its first season.

Feb. 17, 2006: "WBI 461 Nears Completion of Build Season"

by Mohit Agrawal, West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School Scarlette The article explains the basis of the FIRST program. It goes on to explicate how WBI 461 is unique from other teams: its ability to continue the cycle through the years. A small correction in the article is that the Open House time and place is wrong. The Open House was 2:00 PM in the Lafayette Jeff auditorium.

Dec. 22, 2005: "State's pre-engineering effort gets national honor"

by Erin Smith, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The national Project Lead the Way organization has honored Indiana's efforts to expand pre-education in high school. FIRST Robotics is a key element in the state's strategy.

Mar. 18, 2005: "Robots take center stage in contest"

by Tanya Brown, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article highlights the first FIRST Boilermaker Regional.

Mar. 7, 2005: "Purdue invites public to celebrate week of robotics"

by Cynthia Sequin, Purdue News Service
The article talks about Robot Week at Purdue. Special events dedicated to FIRST (like the Boilermaker Regional) are also highlighted. It can be found here.

Nov. 22, 2004: "14 make state LEGO robot competition"

by Curt Slyder, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article explains how 30 FLL teams competed at Purdue, with fourteen of them qualifying for the state tournament.

Nov. 16, 2004: "Stroke of Genius"

by Kyle Wright, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article talks about Anna Chang and her extracurricular activities, including FIRST Robotics on team WBI 461.

May 27, 2004: "Robotics team does well at finals"

by Bob Scott, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article embellishes about WBI 461's accomplishments in the 2004 season.

Feb. 23, 2004: "WL team unveils robot for competition"

by Sophia Voravong, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article talks about WBI 461's open house in 2004 and its public unveiling of Rowdy 5.0.

Nov. 23, 2003: "Building an interest in science"

by Kevin Cullen, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article talks about the inspiration provided by FLL to middle school students.

July 19, 2003: "Programmed for Success"

by Max Showalter, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article showcases the team's 2003 community open house.

Feb. 19, 2001: "Team reveals 'Rowdy Pete' robot to public"

by Matt Holsapple, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article chronicles the team's first open house in 2001.

Nov. 20, 2000: "Students raise funds for robotics competition"

by Adam Kovac, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article talked about team fundraising in its first FIRST season.

Feb. 17, 1999: "Engineering inspiration"

by John Norberg, Lafayette Journal and Courier
The article explains the creation of team WBI 461.