Team Voltage by Melissa Lima Amaro
The robotics club, Team Voltage, has existed for twenty-five years, giving students opportunities to design, build, and compete at a high level. Last year the team created a robot for the First Robotics Competition game, reefscape, where its bright red robot showcased months of effort and creativity. The machine on the field represented hours of not only hard work, but also the team work and dedication of all students in the club. In recognition of that effort, the robot went on to win the Tallahassee Regional and advanced to compete at the World Competition.
Team Voltage is organized into four areas: mechanical, electrical, software, and team operations. The Mechanical group constructs the frame and mechanism, electrical ensures wiring and power systems run smoothly, and software programs the robot to move and perform tasks, Team operations handles outreach, fundraising, and communication. As Mr. Bertram Johnson said, “I see robotics as another way to get the kids excited about stem activities. And it gives kids more hands on experience for kids to apply what they lean“.
During the reefscape season, the robot demonstrated strong performance on the field, reflecting the combined work of all sub groups. Even though last years worlds didn’t go as well, this years the students are ready to push through the boundaries of our abilities. The long-standing history of the club continues to motivate new members to excel in science, technology, and teamwork. After more than two decades, Team Voltage has built a reputation for excellence in robotics that continues to grow with every season.
Caption:
POWER PLAY. This image demonstrates the robot made for last season and it shows the robot competing in a showdown competition. Last Saturday, on September 27, the robotics club went to Fran T. Forester recreation Center to test last year’s robot, which was about cleaning the ocean reefs. This was mainly to give new robotics participants an idea on what the game is like, and to experiment with playing in the games. “It was very fun seeing the other robots and how they performed on the field”, Anna Agarie said. The new students in robotics are looking forward to this season and their ready to perform their best in the games, with unwavering dedication and newfound enthusiasm. Photo by Daniella Fassman.