Robotics team not just going through the motions

Robotics team not just going through the motions

Richmond Hill

Alex Ritson, Contributor

When the word team comes to mind, people typically think of athletics, but a new kind of team is on the rise at Alexander Mackenzie High School.

The Mustangs Robotics Team may not require physical strength or speed, but the 10 students are making a name in competitions just like the sports teams, placing 2nd in Ontario in December and winning a competition in Massachusetts last month.

Robotics lets students experiment with design and programming, while promoting teamwork and social skills, says John Prickaerts, the staff supervisor of the Robotics Team.

The team receives challenges from FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and is given an assignment with a basic parts kit.

This season, the Mustangs are participating in two division challenges and have constructed robots for each.

The Mustangs have seen the most success this year within the FIRST Tech Challenge. For the challenge the team has constructed a small robot just under two-feet in height.

Grade 12 students Vladymir Nesterov, on the team for four years and captain for two, along with Charlie Mei, a newcomer to robotics specializing in programming and electrical, are proud of the team.

“We get to compete with people all over the world,” Charlie says.

“It’s just like any sport,” Vladymir adds.

Vladymir and Charlie were attracted to robotics because of the skills they get to demonstrate and learn. They say it has been a fun and challenging way to gain experience in fields like science, math and design. The team is also required to test its manufacturing skills by making parts that aren’t provided for in their parts kit.

“I think that robotics, for me, has been the closest to real-world experience within a high school environment,” Vladymir says.

“Because, if you think about it, we’re actually solving real problems.”

As a relatively new field, robotics is an up-and-coming division for schools, Mr. Prickaerts said. In his opinion, he said, it doesn’t get enough recognition.

Charlie and Vladymir say with no hesitation that robotics is under-represented at their school. But that doesn’t stop them from working hard to get results.

Vladymir says they sometimes stay in the school until as late as 11 p.m. working on the robots.

Winning in Massachusetts has secured the Mustangs a place in a world championship event in Atlanta, where they compete April 17 at the Georgia Dome before an anticipated 50,000 spectators.

The team has also been invited to attend the inaugural VEX World Championship in California as 1 of only 5 Canadian teams.

But whether or not the robotics team accepts is undecided due to scheduling and expense of such a trip.

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