Okotoks robotics is once again in the spotlight.
The Gnarly Narwhals is a group of young engineers making waves in the Alberta robotics scene with its innovative technical skills while raising awareness on key environmental issues.
The crew is made up of engineering whiz kids Thomas Cunningham, Aubrey Lampi, Graham Linton, Alex Menendez and Matthew Plumb, with coaches Ross Cunningham, Jason Lampi and Chris Plumb leading the squad.
The group made its debut on the competitive stage earlier this year at a FIRST LEGO League qualifier in Calgary, where the team's robotics prowess and ingenuity were put to the test in February.
In addition to the competitive aspect, each team put together a presentation on an important environmental topic and how their project related to that. The aptly-named Narwhals focused their project on right whales and their susceptibility to watercraft collisions, with their maritime-themed robotics project depicting boats having inflatable bottoms to not harm the animals.
While its 12-place finish meant they narrowly missed provincials, the Gnarly Narwhals took home the Breakthrough Award for the innovation their design showed coupled with its compelling environmental message.
The group is carrying the torch of the Stratobots, an Okotoks youth robotics crew competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge whose members have since aged out and moved on.
