For Sweetwater Union High School District students, robotics is much more than just a competition — it’s a stepping stone to higher achievement.
A total of 59 robotics teams, including teams from Eastlake and Hilltop high schools in Chula Vista, will gather at the ninth annual San Diego Regional FIRST Robotics Competition April 2-4 at Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd.
“Every year there is a new challenge and my interest grows bigger every time I build a functioning part for our robot,” said Alfonso Cota of Team Pharaohs from Montgomery High School. “Robotics has given me a vision for what I would like to do in the future, encouraged me into pursuing a career in mechanical engineering.”
“I joined robotics to be a mechatronic engineer when I enter the workforce, and this is an opportunity to be not only one step but multiple steps closer to that goal,” said robotics competitor Xavier Balladarez of Southwest High School.
“It allows me to get a taste of what my career will consist of and permit me to decide whether that is what I want to be or not. I knew it was going to be both a fun and learning experience in which students and mentors work to build a robot and a better future.”
Robots in the free competition can weigh up to 120 lbs. and be 78 inches in height. FIRST Robotic’s purpose is to provide students a venue to showcase their engineering talents and practice “gracious professionalism.”
Assisted by mentors, staff and community volunteers, students build and program a robot (out of a common set of parts) that is remote-controlled and meets given specifications.
Robotics mentor Sandra Hodge representing Hilltop High characterized robotics as a “sport of the mind,” noting it’s designed as a “win-win” for all participating students, teaching them “core values” including professionalism, respect, admiration and encouragement for opponents.
“Students do everything they can to win, but they do it in the spirit of cooperation,” said Hodge. “You don’t beat down the opponent or take advantage of their weaknesses. You win because yours is the better robot.”
Hodge agreed robotics is forward thinking, seeking to train and instill values in individual youths who are “going to be in our workforce.”
“The robot is just a vehicle to spark their imagination, creativity and to actually entice them to move into STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math,” Hodge said.
As part of the FIRST Robotics competition, students also market their robots, create videos, design and maintain a website, produce promotional materials, raise funds, solicit corporate sponsorships, perform community service, recruit new teams, develop a business plan, craft flags and mascot costumes and devise team shirts.
Giving students real-world engineering experience, robotics is offering them both introductory and advanced understanding of a specific skill set, like mechanical design.
Robotics programs develop 21st century skills: teamwork, problem solving, ideation, project management and communications. They enable the teaching of specialized concepts like programming, parametric solid modeling, electronics and advanced machining.
