HCHS Robotics Team Makes It To World Championships!

On April 1st, the Hiawatha Collegiate High School Robotics team, in a three-team alliance, won the Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional competition and is now headed to the World Championships from April 18th to 23rd in Houston, Texas.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition where the HCHS Robotics team will be competing in one of eight divisions against high schools from around the world! The top alliance in each division moves on to the Edison playoff to determine the overall winner.

This program is not like any other high school program. Students build a robot using components that are used in actual industrial robotics. A typical robot costs around $4,000 to $6,000 in parts alone.

Many companies are willing to sponsor teams because this program teaches students the entire design engineering process from the analysis of needs, design and construction, testing, and refinement. A valuable experience that gives students an upper advantage in learning subject matter and in their college application.

Congratulations to team members Anthony Yzaguirre, Nathan Jimenez, Luis Cazares Linares, Yusuf Hassan, Josue Rosales Juarez, Kevin Portilla, and mentors and volunteers, Pete Langr(HCHS Teacher/mentor), Nathan Lord(volunteer programmer) and Edward Wons(volunteer engineer).

“In the design of the robot, the team did not rely on ideas from the internet but developed original and highly successful solutions to the challenge. As we move into the Artificial Intellectual age, developing these skills is probably the truest measure of the team’s success,” said Edward Won, volunteer engineer for the robotics team.

The importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and robotics programs in high school cannot be overemphasized, especially for students who are planning to pursue a college education in these fields. Here are some of the key reasons why:

• Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills: STEM and robotics programs are designed to challenge students to think critically and solve complex problems using logical and analytical thinking.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies: Through STEM and robotics programs, students have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
• Preparation for college-level coursework: STEM and robotics programs can help students build a strong foundation in key subjects like math, physics, and computer science.
• Hands-on learning experiences: STEM and robotics programs often involve hands-on learning experiences, such as building and programming robots, conducting experiments, and designing prototypes.
• Opportunities for research and innovation: STEM and robotics programs can provide students with opportunities to conduct research and innovate in their chosen fields.

Overall, STEM and robotics programs can help high school students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and beyond. By participating in these programs, students gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies, build a strong foundation in key subjects, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can serve them well throughout their academic and professional careers.

Congratulations to the team for making it to the world championships and good luck!