The San Marin Robotics team attended the FIRST Robotics Competition at UC Davis this past March 21-23. Twelve San Marin students along with their technical mentors Mike Sousa and Tim Buss participated in this year’s competition where robots maneuver around an enclosed rink to pick up and launch Frisbees into designated targets or climb up a tower to earn points.
WATCH VIDEO OF ROBOTICS COMPETITION
FIRST which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology is an international mentor-based program that builds science, engineering and technology skills by building robots weighing up to 120 pounds (54 kg), not including battery and bumpers, that can complete a task.
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The San Marin High School’s Robotics Club, which was first formed in 2007, is currently the only High School Robotics Team in Marin County. These young engineers dedicate time after school for meetings with increased hours during the six-week build period. Every year the team must design, build and program a robot utilizing the wood shop and their ingenuity. During the process, the team functions as a small business, fundraising, budgeting time, facing deadlines while doing mechanical and electrical engineering, computer-aided design, construction, animation and mathematics.
This next year the club needs to raise $5,000 to cover a majority of the costs of the UC Davis competition. The club hopes to raise funds through local corporate grants, sponsorships and donations. For more information on how to donate contact the school at 898-2121.
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This week, April 6-14 marks the fourth annual National Robotics Week. More than 125 robotics-based events, demonstrations and workshops are planned in 50 states to inspire the next generation of innovators in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). For information on events go to nationalroboticsweek.org
This fall San Marin High School is introducing its new STEM Marin (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) for 60 incoming ninth graders. “Many STEM Marin students can participate in San Marin High School’s Robotics program,” says Principal Adam Littlefield. The club looks forward to incoming tech minded students and it is also open to Novato High students as well.
Annie Pa from Novato High who has been with the club for one year says, “I've been wanting to be in a robotics-centered club for as long as I can remember. I turned to San Marin and joined Penguin Empire and made some good friends in the club. I wish to watch the club grow with students not only from San Marin, but also from Novato and other schools from Marin County. If you want to join, just give us a call!"
