Our History
In 2004 season, Immaculata High School established FIRST Robotics Team 1279 “Cold Fusion” under the guidance of Marika Foreman, the school’s Physics and Science teacher. In the previous year several students participated on the Manville, NJ Team 1048 “Mustang Robotics”. The experience was so positive that by the next year, Cold Fusion had acquired a total of 48 energized members who were all eager to compete. During the 2004 season, the members expanded their knowledge and enhanced themselves by observing the positives and negatives of the other teams. The students learned about gears, various mechanical parts and wiring. In 2004, the success of the season was not measured by wins, but by determination. The judges at the New Jersey Regional awarded us with the Rookie Inspiration award for being a model rookie team.
Cold Fusion burst into the 2005 season with tremendous potential and extraordinary enthusiasm. Cold Fusion, seeded first after qualifications, advanced to the playoffs in a regional competition in Richmond, Virginia. Two weeks later, the team ranked second and became the New Jersey Regional Champion. This victory had earned them a place at the National Championship in Atlanta, Georgia where the team finished respectably ranked in the middle of the field of teams.
In 2006, Cold Fusion faced a seemingly fatal blow. Nearly all of the founding members of Cold Fusion had graduated, leaving a few upperclassmen and many new members. The team was gaunt, weak in the knees, had no dependable source of income, no place to build. Needless to say, this did not faze our fearless students and mentors. In March of 2006, the team attended the New Jersey Regional and captured back to back New Jersey Regional Champion banners (which fly high and proud in the school’s physics lab). This certified Cold Fusion as a serious contender in the state of New Jersey.
In 2007, the team had to yet again reconstruct its roster and squeeze the budget. Time and effort was spent to raise funds and increase awareness in the school.
The team saved its pennies and exploded into the 2008 season. A video of Cold Fusion’s robot was posted onto a robotics forum before the competitions which brought accolades to Cold Fusion from all over the country. The team advanced to the semi-finals in Trenton, New Jersey, and to the Quarter-Finals in New Orleans, Louisiana. Again the team attended the National Championship in Atlanta, Georgia and finished with a respectable record of 4-3. Although this team did not win any championships, it was one of the most enjoyable and successful seasons for Cold Fusion.
2009 was a banner season with the team being awarded the NASA grant for Veteran Teams. The grant provided the team funds to enter the Washington DC Regional - a very exciting event with guest speakers from our government and FIRST. The team competed strongly and placed as the captain of the finalist alliance. The second regional entered was Philadelphia where the judges award Cold Fusion with the Xerox Creativity Award
The team was able to attend 2 Regionals in 2010 – Trenton and Pittsburgh. The team had not participated in the Pittsburgh Regional previously and was excited to attend a new event. While this was a smaller event, the competition was fierce but the drive team took up the challenge and again 1279 placed as the captain of the finalist alliance.
2011 should be an exciting year. The team applied for and was awarded the NASA grant for Veteran Teams which ensured the ability to attend 2 regional competitions. The team is looking forward to the NYC and Washington DC Regional competitions this March. Another huge improvement is a new build space that was secured by the school administration.
Throughout all the past seasons, Cold Fusion has helped and received help from many teams across the country, to which they give special thanks. The team has established special companionship and professionalism with teams from Manville, NJ, North Brunswick, NJ, Bound Brook, NJ, St. Joseph’s High School, NJ, Kintnersville, PA, New York City, NY, Somerville, NJ, Richmond, VA, Mountain Home, AR, and many more. New challenges lie ahead for Cold Fusion, but the harder it is, the sweeter the success.