Ever wanted to explore your creativity? Want to find new and interesting ways to collaborate with others while also having fun?
Every Thursday afternoon at West Campus, students can partake in fun and exciting engineering challenges where they can engage in hands-on learning experiences focused on designing, building, and programming robots.
“We more than encourage students to participate in the robotics club this year. It’s a great way to develop social skills while also giving your brain enjoyable but strenuous exercises,” Mr. Matthew Sullivan, VEX robotics coach, said.
Each year, the VEX Robotics Competition is held, last year at Olivet Nazarene University, where two teams from Lake Park competed at state on March 22nd. Team 60172u ranked 12th overall in the individual competition, and team 60172x ranked 20th overall at the state level.
“To qualify for Nationals, teams need to win a regional event or win an excellence award at a regional tournament prior to the Nationals event. To qualify for world, teams must be among the top ten at the state championship,” Mr. Sullivan said.
“During robotics meetings, teams set goals and plan out their calendars for what they want to achieve in the set duration they have,” Mr. Sullivan explained. “Some team members are designing, others are documenting what is being completed that week, some team members are building robots, and others are programming robots. There are many roles students can play on a robotics team.”
Some other roles Mr. Sullivan noted were researching, sketching, and scouting, which is when students take notes on other teams at competitions. Students may also have the opportunity to be the project manager of a team.
If you want to join the robotics club during the 2024–2025 school year, the group will meet once a week from August until the end of the season in April.
Meetings will be held in the manufacturing and engineering lab in room 116 at West Campus from 2:16 p.m. up until 6 p.m. If you are interested, please take time to look at the list below of what students should experience within the club upon joining.
Design Challenges: Teams are given a game or task to accomplish using their robots. They must design and build a robot that can effectively complete the challenge within the specified constraints.
Building and Prototyping: Students use VEX robotics kits to construct their robots. This involves assembling metal and plastic components, motors, sensors, and other hardware. Prototyping and iteration are common as teams refine their designs.
Programming Skills: Students learn to program their robots using languages like RobotC, Python, or VEXcode. This involves coding the robot to perform specific actions or respond to various inputs. Participants gain experience in coding and programming their robots to perform specific tasks.
Problem-solving: Teams encounter obstacles and challenges during the design and building process. Problem-solving skills are crucial as they troubleshoot issues with the robot’s performance and make necessary adjustments.
Mathematics and Physics: The competition involves solving real-world problems, requiring students to apply mathematical and physics concepts.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Working in teams, students learn to collaborate, share ideas, and divide tasks to achieve a common goal.
Communication Skills: Students improve their communication skills as they discuss ideas, explain their designs, and coordinate strategies during competitions.
Real-world Challenges: The competition presents real-world engineering challenges, encouraging students to think critically and find innovative solutions to problems.
Adaptability: Teams often need to modify and adapt their robots during competitions based on the performance and challenges encountered.
Time Management: Students learn to manage their time effectively to meet competition deadlines and milestones.
Creativity and Innovation: The competition encourages students to be creative in designing their robots, promoting innovation in problem-solving and functionality.
Competitive Spirit: Participants learn good sportsmanship, how to win and lose graciously, and how to respect and learn from other teams.
Networking Opportunities: Students have the opportunity to attend local, regional, and even international competitions, where they can interact with other students, mentors, and professionals in the field of robotics.
Career and Educational Opportunities: Participation in VEX Robotics can spark interest in STEM fields and potential career paths.
Educational Pathways: Students may discover a passion for robotics and pursue further education and careers in related fields. There are many scholarship opportunities out there in robotics and robotics competitions.
Fun and Enjoyment: The hands-on nature of the competition and the opportunity to see their creations come to life can be inherently rewarding and enjoyable for students.
