Plum Robotics Team Competes in Nationals

When it comes to robotics, definitely has a reputation to uphold.

And they're going to show everyone what they're made of when they compete in the 2012 National Robotics League Championships this weekend in Indianapolis, IN.

The National Tooling and Machining Association founded the National Robotics League, which partners teams of middle school, high school, and post-secondary school students with local NTMA manufacturers to work together to build robots designed to battle.

The result is not only a destruction-driven face-off of incredible machines, but also an opportunity to develop high-tech skills and cultivate the interest of a new generation of students who will determine the future of manufacturing.

Plum High School's eight-member team will go against teams from 16 other schools throughout the country—the teams won district and regional rounds to qualify for the national competition.

Plum will be using four robots in battle matches—Shocker, Atomic Shock, Still in Shock 2 and Blackout.

In 2009, Plum took first place in the national competition. They took third place in 2010.

Martin Griffith, who coaches the team with Jeff Noll, said the students all have been working on the robots since October.

"This is a really good group of kids," he said. "They do all of the work. They're not professionally made."

During robot battles, teams get points for attacks on their opponent, damages, throwing, and more.

This year, the team has utilized a cage—which they built themselves—to test their robots before competition. A cage/barrier is needed for safety reasons.

"We're able to figure out what problems the robots have because we can fire them up in a safe environment," Griffith said. "Otherwise, we'd have to wait until the competition."

Steven Churchel, a senior on the team, said he's hoping to come home with an award.

"I hope we can take first, second and third place," he said. "Any time Plum Robotics gets into the arena, people know something big is going to happen. The legend is hard to live up to, but I want to come home with a sense of establishment and some memorable fights."

Don Doerfler, a senior who was a part of the 2009 team that won first place, agreed.

"I hope to have fun and be successful," he said.

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