Page 19 - LRCC October 2022 Focus

High School Robotics Phenomenon: A Fun Way to
Prepare for the Jobs of the Future

High school robotics teams are students throughout the K-12
quickly growing in popularity system will have opportunities
for both boys and girls alike. The to participate.
FIRST Robotics Competition
(FRC) is a competition held Waverly High School has seen
internationally for teams across significant growth in its robotics
the U.S., including more than 476 program since it was originally
in the state of Michigan, which formed five years ago. Waverly
is the largest region in the world had 17 students in its first year
for FRC. and has seen enrollment rise
to 42 at the high school and 180
"I have never found a program that districtwide. Waverly High teacher
is more impactful on students' and robotics coach Jeff Parks says
lives," said Bryan Tasior, Holt High being in robotics shows students
School teacher and advisor to the multiple career paths.
Holt Robo Rams.
"We teach kids how to machine
The Robo Rams operate much and weld metal, how to CAD,
like a small business that is write grants, how to produce
managed by student leadership. videos, and how to build a robot,"
Some students work in human said Parks. "They learn to work
resources, media and marketing, together because the kids writing
and fundraising. There are teams for manufacturing, the grants need to know what the kids building the
electrical, programming, and scouting teams for robots are doing and vice versa."
competition season.
Waverly has enjoyed a great deal of success in various
"It is a unique opportunity for students to find their robotics competitions, including competing in the
passion even if they don't know it yet," said Tasior. "They world competition in the program's first year. Today
are apt to do things they have never done before, so the team is focused on expanding its community
they have to go out on a limb and learn new skills on a engagement, letting as many people as possible
daily basis." interact with the robots.

The Holt Robo Rams had a very successful competition "We are working on building a tee-shirt cannon robot,
season, working through regional and state competitions which is a six-barreled cannon that will drive around
to become one of 80 teams from Michigan to qualify and shoot tee-shirts out to crowds at various events,"
for the world competition in Houston, Texas. The event said Parks. "We hope by getting out more in the
included 459 teams from 34 countries. In addition to the community we can drive the growth of robotics in the
thrill of the competition itself, the team enjoyed field trips Greater Lansing area."
to a Houston Astros game, Galveston Beach, Memphis,
and the Lorraine Motel, the site of the Martin Luther King The success of the robotics program has increased
assassination. interest in students beyond the district's current ability to
support them. Parks says Waverly is working on ways to
"It was a life-changing experience for our students," said increase staffing to provide more opportunities, especially
Tasior. "Some of our kids had never left Michigan, and they for disadvantaged students.
were talking to kids from Israel, Turkey, and Japan and
helping each other during the competition." "We have a lot of students that because of their socio-
economic status aren't exposed to as many opportunities,"
The Robo Rams' success is getting noticed by other said Parks. "Being able to get more of those students
students. Three times as many students have signed up involved is something we are going to keep striving for."
for the program this year. Tasior says the team is looking
for more partnerships in the community with local Parks says that robotics is the greatest way to teach skilled
businesses. He also says that Holt will eventually expand trades, career readiness and to help students determine
the robotics program into the elementary level so that where they want to get in life.

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