I started a STEM club, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math club, at my school. This year is the first official year for this club and it has taken off like a rocket, or more like a robot. Two months ago, VEX awarded STEM club with a generous grant. This grant allowed us to purchase three robot kits, three booster kits, and extra parts; in order to receive this grant we had to host a tournament that was set for Saturday, January 24, 2015.
first year As one could imagine since this is the first year for STEM club, the first year for robotics, and the first year for hosting a robotics tournament, we were all a bit stressed. However, I am extremely grateful for the grant and the chance to be able to build a robot. Sparky, my teams robot, has taught me how to plan ahead, how to visualize moving parts, and how to problem solve. I have a new appreciation for the engineers and mechanics that work on robots, engines, and electronics. I hope that I get another chance sometime in the future to work on mechanics.
I realized that I need to work on planning and organizing. Because of my lack of planning I had to do as much taking apart as putting together. Hopefully the robotics team next year can learn from this mistake and get better tools. As a result of the shortened time frame, I did not get to learn any programming, but this experience has spurred me on to learn more about the software part of robotics.
As for the tournament itself my team and I were nervous and did not know what to expect. While we did run into technical difficulties we also managed to earn 5th place in the tournament. At that moment I was proud of myself. I was proud because all the planning, work, time, and energy finally paid off. The best part of the tournament was meeting new people. The people that we got to compete with and against were extremely helpful, nice, and fun.
first year As one could imagine since this is the first year for STEM club, the first year for robotics, and the first year for hosting a robotics tournament, we were all a bit stressed. However, I am extremely grateful for the grant and the chance to be able to build a robot. Sparky, my teams robot, has taught me how to plan ahead, how to visualize moving parts, and how to problem solve. I have a new appreciation for the engineers and mechanics that work on robots, engines, and electronics. I hope that I get another chance sometime in the future to work on mechanics.
I realized that I need to work on planning and organizing. Because of my lack of planning I had to do as much taking apart as putting together. Hopefully the robotics team next year can learn from this mistake and get better tools. As a result of the shortened time frame, I did not get to learn any programming, but this experience has spurred me on to learn more about the software part of robotics.
As for the tournament itself my team and I were nervous and did not know what to expect. While we did run into technical difficulties we also managed to earn 5th place in the tournament. At that moment I was proud of myself. I was proud because all the planning, work, time, and energy finally paid off. The best part of the tournament was meeting new people. The people that we got to compete with and against were extremely helpful, nice, and fun.