You may have seen robots zooming around the gym at school assemblies, but do you know how the robotics team creates them?
Robotics competitions involve cooperative puzzle solving with a different game element each year. This year, the team had to program robots to pick up five-inch wiffle balls and shoot them into hoops. For the first time in school history, all three of Lincoln’s teams qualified for the state playoffs. They won two awards and their top team finished eighth overall at state.
How do you build a robot that can shoot hoops? First, the entire team brainstormed how to design individual components. Then, team members took on different roles, including designing, coding, 3D printing and building the robots. Some team members focused on outreach, which includes applying for sponsorships, collaborating with other teams and partnering with Lincoln’s Women in STEM club to provide STEM lessons to Chapman Elementary school students.
With 44 students, Lincoln’s competitive robotics class is bigger than ever before. It’s split into three teams, all coached by teacher Adam McQueen. Team “Don’t Worry About It” (DWAI) was named 10 years ago for unknown reasons and is the most competitive. McQueen banned his students from naming a team after him, so they named their second team “Lightning” instead. Finally, team “Good Enuf” has the motto “We don’t have to be good, we just have to be good enough.”
Senior Drew Ennis is the DWAI team captain. It’s his fourth year in robotics, and he’s noticed more dedication on the team this year.
“I’d attribute [our success] to a change in mentality as people are more willing now to come in after school, to work outside of class and do that extra work,” Ennis said.
Junior Griffin Dame is a “Good Enuf” team captain in his third year of robotics. He appreciates the balance of independence and support that McQueen provides.
“[Our coach] really pushes everyone to be independent, but he’s always there to help out,” Dame said. “He has a lot of experience in robotics and he gives us exactly what we need.”
Junior Clara Mechling is a member of the DWAI team. It’s her first year in robotics, and she recommends joining the team because it offers a low pressure environment for collaborating with other students who are enthusiastic about STEM.
“I wish that people would know that it’s relatively easy to learn the skills… there’s no time constraint on when you start robotics,” said Mechling.
