At this national competition, teams drive their robots through a course using a robot they have (hopefully) engineered with a solid chassis and arm mechanism to locate, grab, and move simulated ordnances on the challenge course. One member remotely operates using a wireless camera system mounted on the robot at the simulated command center.

Teams are judged and scored on a variety of criteria – robot design, the team’s engineering notebook, oral presentation, a written exam, and performance on the challenge course. 

“I’ve never felt my heart beat out of my chest like that before,” said Team 122 after completing the course.

“Stressful.”

“Nerve-racking.”

“Intense.”

These were just a few words that described their experience. 

“It teaches how to be calm in chaos,” Brody Pinson of middle school Team 801 said.

What a necessary skill to have in these fast-paced times! Not only do students gain valuable life skills such as this, but team members also experience teamwork, collaboration, and, of course, problem-solving in addition to preparation for employment in fields related to and including robotics, engineering, automation, manufacturing, electronics, and emergency services.

We ❤️ you, students and robotics lovers, and congratulations to the winning teams! Students like you (and your advisors) make our hearts beat faster!

Winners: 

Middle School – Team 805 – Alana Lee and Diara Tsikis of TX

High School – Team 106 – Chris Calvao and Nicholas Reed of MA

Postsecondary – Team 504 – Aaron Haymore and Willard Sheets of NC