Prep-school robots provide hands-on learning despite pandemic

METUCHEN — The robotics program at Saint Joseph High School began in 2005 with a handful of students and has grown into one of the largest organizations on campus, averaging 60 to 70 student participants each year.
 

The team is led by moderators and mentors composed of professional engineers, software programmers, and returning alumni. As participants in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), they have won numerous awards through the years, including Industrial Design, finishing as regional finalists, and several victories in local competitions. The team also competed at the World Championships in 2006 and 2011.

Despite all this, one of the proudest awards the team has earned is the Children’s Book Donation award at the Duel on the Delaware Event. In keeping with the mission of service to the community, the team prides itself on helping others and using their talents to bring knowledge and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunities to children of all ages. This strong message of servant leadership and using engineering and technology to make the world a better place is even more essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

As schools throughout the country struggle to facilitate in-person learning and extracurricular activities, Saint Joseph has developed a rotating hybrid model for its robotics team members to use both Makerspace and Zoom sessions for meetings. This fully functional Makerspace includes room for drive team members to practice maneuvering and operating the robot. It is one of the hallmarks of the STEM program and offers students the ability to learn the different facets of robotics and engineering such as: metal fabrication and machining, electronics board production and circuitry, coding and programming, and 3-D design through AutoCAD programs.
 

One of the most recent additions was a fully automated CNC machine that allows the team to cut its own custom-made parts and engravings. This next step in technology for the robotics program will give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in modern mechanical design techniques, giving them valuable hands-on experience.

Naturally, in addition to machining parts for the robot, the team offers its services to the school community to design and to fabricate logos, letters, and engravings. Its first two projects were highly successful in replicating the school logo as well as the Falcon Robotics Team logo.
 

Even with the restrictions that the pandemic has placed on educational programs everywhere, adopting proper procedures and protocols ensures that students, teachers, and volunteers are working in a comfortable and safe environment.
 

Junior Matthew San Miguel noted that “COVID-19 had a huge impact on our robotics team, but we’ve managed to safely and effectively meet together to work on our robot.”
 

The team has found ways to rebuild and revamp its program to meet the ever-changingW needs of its students. While this competition season may not have been what anyone expected, the organization still finds ways to develop essential engineering skills through the various at-home challenges and virtual events by FIRST.
 

Team 1626: Falcon Robotics is looking forward to a season where they will be able to compete in-person again, but until then, they continue to learn the value of communication, teamwork, and dedication to the STEM fields.