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Sci Chic Interviews First Robotics Students

  • Emily Huber
  • Jan 26, 2016
  • 5 min read

Have you ever heard of First Robotics? If you haven’t had a kid go through high school, then it might be new to you.First robotics is a national robotics competition where high school students have just 6 weeks to design and build a working robot for competition. This year’s competition is called First Stronghold. Students must use strategy and alliances between teams in order to win the competition. Their robot will be faced with defensive obstacles, defending robots, and challenges such as shooting balls into a tall tower.

In order to give you some perspective on why First Robotics is important for students, I have interviewed 4 of the students from Team 1592: Bionic Tigers. This award winning team has had the opportunity to attend a number of National Competitions. A mixture between dedicated mentors and students spending countless hours in the robotics lab has proven to be successful for the team many years. Many mentors don’t even have kids on the team, but they understand the impact a team like First Robotics can play on a student’s future.




Madi, just a freshman in high school, has been working with the team since she was five. Her dad helped start the team about a decade ago, and it’s been going strong ever since. This year Madi is working with the mechanical team. Currently her role has been shooter prototype testing, including some machining of parts on the lathe. As just a freshman, she already has top notch skills on many machines in the lab, has been able to make new friends, meet other teams, travel, and learn about robotics. In school she is most interested in her medical class, where she has learned about robotics applied in the medical field. After high school she aspires to go to nursing or medical school. Her ultimate dream job is to become a general surgeon or brain surgeon. She says that robotics has shaped her future goals. Since becoming a part of First Robotics she has developed an interest in mentoring students and creating robots for medical applications.

As a young women in STEM, she realizes she is sometimes treated differently. Sometimes she would go unnoticed or people would assume she was part of the business team. In order to overcome this Madi has decided to make herself more engaged with the team by asking more questions and trying to receive more jobs. From her experiences she realizes that First Robotics has taught her many skills in the lab (i.e. Mill, lathe, hand tools, mechanical systems), built her confidence, and given her great friends.

Ashley, a senior in high school, is also on the mechanical team this year. She started this build season by assisting in the construction of the practice field and now is helping with the gear box design. Ashely started robotics in 10th grade after being scared to join the team in 9th grade. She said as a sophomore and junior she was shyer, but being involved in First Robotics has helped her come out of her shell. She even finds it easier to talk in front of large groups, which is something that most high school students can’t boast about. Ashley’s favorite subjects in school are trigonometry and physics. She and she has her college education all planned out. She hopes to attend the University of Central Florid (UCF) a to get a bachelors in mechanical or industrial engineering, continue to get a master’s degree in applied mathematics or engineering, and maybe even go on to get a PhD. First robotics had a large impact on those plans. She began her high school career interested in bio-chemistry, but after being involved in First Robotics she has moved over to the mechanical side of engineering. Her dream job is to perform meaningful research in education as it applied to STEM.


As another young women in the male dominated field, Ashley has experienced that it is sometimes hard to be given a job even when asking. She feels that some male students are quick to scrutinize a young women’s ideas or plans. She overcomes this by trying to be more confident when asking for a job or presenting an idea. To Ashley First Robotics teaches students there is more to math and science than what is in the classroom, as well as fundraising, outreach, and communication skills.


Austin, who is also a senior in high school, works on both the mechanical and electrical teams. He has been helping with the construction of the practice field, prototyping the shooter, and rewiring batteries. Austin has been involved since his freshman year after a teacher mentioned the robotics team in class. At first he was scared to join but after giving it a try he has enjoyed every minute. He has many friends on the team, who he describes as a “family you can’t leave,” but in the best way possible. In school he enjoys his science courses since he enjoys learning how things work. After high school he hopes to attend UCF or go to welding school. Austin has always been interested in engineering but First Robotics has helped him gain experience and see what discipline interests him most. His dream job is to work as an engineer for NASA.


Austin gave a fully supportive answer when asked about having young women on the team. He believes that the young women are mostly treated the same and can do anything a guy can do. He acknowledges that girls may even be better at math and engineering. Austin views First Robotics as the best club on campus since it teaches STEM in a fun way. He also credits the team with helping him come out of his shell.



Reilly, a sophomore in high school, has been working with both the mechanical and business teams. She has been involved with First back to the elementary school version with First Lego League. She describes herself as a hands-on-learner which makes First the perfect fit. Reilly makes sure to set aside plenty of time to be involved with First Robotics, and was even a student ambassador last year. In school Reilly enjoys science, history, and theater. After high school Reilly hopes to attend a college outside of Florida studying theater and design, and still be able to mentor robotics. First Robotics has changed Reilly’s plans from epidemiology to designing sets and sound for theater productions. Her dream job is to design sets and sound on Broadway, which combines her two passions: robotics and theater.


As another young women in STEM Reilly has faced some adversity. When first starting on the First Robotics team as a 7th grade student, she noticed some students were distant. She notes that by pushing for leadership roles she has overcome adversity within the group. Reilly has learned from First Robotics to be more of a public speaker and that it’s okay for women to be in STEM.


A common theme I found while interviewing each student was the overwhelming support they had for each other and the confidence each student has gained from being on the team. Everyone worked well together, spoke well of each other, and acknowledged each students’ achievements. Each student mentioned a sense of family on the team although interviewed separately. To me that speaks volumes.


If you’re interested in getting to know more about First Robotics check out their website at http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc .


If you interesting in getting to know more about Team 1592: Bionic Tigers and how you could help out this amazing team check out their website at http://www.firstteam1592.com/#!donate/cz0.


A First Robotics Stronghold inspired piece will be released on our website on Friday, January 29, 2016. Teams may order larger quantities through bulk ordering at a special team price. Please contact scichiccontact@gmail.com.



Emily Huber

Cheif Technology Officer

 
 
 

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