First Ever: Robot, Built By Dewey Students, To Throw First Pitch At Tonight's Cyclones Game

Dewey students tweaking a still under construction Righty. (Source: Scott Krivitsky)

The completed Righty the Robot. (Source: Scott Krivitsky)

Students at John Dewey High School (50 Avenue X) have hit an educational homerun after building a robot, known as “Righty,” that will throw the first pitch at this tonight’s Brooklyn Cyclones game.

Through the implementation of STEAM programs — Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Design and Math — and sponsored by LEGO Education, local Brooklyn schools, such as John Dewey, are beginning to offer students a more hands-on learning experience in these fields.

Approximately 25 Dewey students have been on board and working continuously on Righty the robot. The robot took about six months to build from scratch, with each student taking three or four hours a day from their schedule to work on it.

It took the students awhile to perfect Righty’s pitch, but tonight they’ll prove their mettle as Righty is poised to make history.

“There’s never been a robot in New York that has been able to throw a pitch at a game,” said Scott Krivitsky, a teacher at P.S. 188 on Neptune Avenue, who has worked to bring STEAM to Dewey and other area schools. “And these high school students created a robot that will do so.”

Prior to Righty, the students built robots that were able to throw basketballs and frisbees, but not with quite the manpower needed to pitch a baseball. However, after putting together different pistons and mechanisms, the high school students concocted the finished product that will toss the first pitch at Thursday night’s game.

Because of their students’ eager participation with the STEAM programs, John Dewey High School had to invest in the materials themselves.

Krivitsky, passionately advocates expanding STEAM programs in the education system, and hopes that schools, such as Dewey, won’t have to reach into their own pockets in the future to get their students involved.

And, when Righty makes his debut tonight, Krivitsky hopes it garners the attention of local businesses than can help support STEAM programs, and prepare tomorrow’s workforce.

“There are so many wonderful technology programs out there,” Krivitsky said. “We are looking for local Brooklyn businesses to see what the students are doing and collaborate with them, and later on, encourage these students to work for those companies.”

Tonight’s Brooklyn Cyclones game begins at 7:00 p.m. More information about tickets can be found on the Cyclones’ website.