With the beginning of the school year starting up, the robotics club members are turning their gears and brainstorming ideas for their next robot. From grabbing, throwing and lifting, to robots that can grow an extra five feet, the Robotics Club has it all hoping to advance to state competitions.

“[We have] two opportunities to go to state competition where we compete to win,” senior captain Seth Knievel said. “If you win one competition you don’t have to go to the second one, so you automatically advance to the state.”

Robotics is working hard to get their robot designs up and going for it’s first competition in December. However, with a new teacher, smaller numbers, and new ideas for robotics, this year could have a whole new course programmed. Their new teacher, Mr. Dennis Bonsall and new members, are only small changes in in their journey to competitions.

“We are trying to get more involved with the school this year,” Knievel said. “Our main goal is to increase our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and our STEMing by getting professionals to come and motivate as well as support the members of robotics.”

Although applications are closed for Robotics, there is still room for help. Anyone who is willing to help can come by after school, Monday through Friday until 6 p.m., and bring ideas to the table for robot designs and help produce marketing ideas and campaigns.

“Season is closed for applications,” Knievel said. “But anyone can still come and help with marketing and ideas for robotics.”

However, having fewer members doesn’t bother them. Since there are so few members there is plenty of room for all to go to competitions and participate in the events. Although only two are needed to operate a robot, as stated in the official rules for the competitions, the whole team can come watch, support each other and have fun.

“Most of the team can go since I think it is like 10 representatives, which is most of my team,” Knievel said.

Building the robot comes from the marketing, hardware and ideas teams that work together to form their working robot to win the competition. Their goal is to have the robot finished by October so that they can practice in driving the robot.

“[We will] try to have robot finished by in October,” Knievel said. “So we can have time for driving practice before competition.”

Robotics is a fun organization that allows students to interact, work as a team and have fun with competitions.

“Everyone is really nice,” Knievel said.  “It is nice to see the work we do pay off.”