GWAMA Robotics Team Competes in Local Competition, Inspiring Young Minds in STEM
WACO, Texas — The Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA) Robotics Team recently participated in a local competition at the ATG Convention held at the Waco Convention Center. The primary goal of this competition was to encourage students to compete, collaborate, and develop a passion for technology and engineering.
Malakai Marciel’s Perspective:
Malakai Marciel, a junior GWAMA Robotics student, shared his perspective on the competition’s significance. He emphasized the program’s outreach mission to introduce other young teenagers to robotics and STEM subjects. Marciel highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork, noting that students can be on different alliances during different matches, which fosters a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition.
“This competition is a great way to reach out to other young teenagers and introduce them to robotics and STEM,” Marciel said. “We want to show them that robotics is fun and exciting, and that it’s something that they can do, too.”
GWAMA Robotics Team’s Competition Details:
The GWAMA Robotics Team competes against other teams in the area to design, build, and operate robots. The competition format involves two alliances, red and blue, with five matches per team. During the competition, teams aim to score as many points as possible in both autonomous (program-controlled) and teliop (driver-based) modes.
In the autonomous mode, robots are programmed to perform a series of tasks without human intervention. In the teliop mode, students control the robots using joysticks and other controllers.
Joe Rizo’s Insights:
Joe Rizo, the GWAMA Robotics instructor, spoke about the program’s impact on students’ skills development. He observed that many students are new to robotics and find it exciting to control the robot’s movements and functions. Rizo emphasized the moments of inspiration and achievement that motivate students’ continued participation.
“It’s amazing to see the students’ faces light up when they first get the robot to do something,” Rizo said. “They realize that they can control this machine and make it do whatever they want. That’s when they start to get really excited about robotics.”
Nathaniel Juarez’s Experience:
Nathaniel Juarez, a sophomore GWAMA Robotics student, shared his positive experience with the program. He described the team’s progress from being ranked in the bottom 14 to reaching the top 4. Juarez enthusiastically recommended the program for its fun and educational aspects, highlighting the opportunities for learning and growth.
“I’ve learned so much about teamwork, problem-solving, and engineering,” Juarez said. “It’s been a lot of fun, and I’ve made a lot of new friends.”
Conclusion:
Joe Rizo emphasized the importance of fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills among students. He stated that the program focuses on collaboration and creating a better future.
“We want to teach our students how to work together and solve problems,” Rizo said. “These are skills that they’ll need in any career they choose. We also want to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM fields. We need more engineers and scientists to solve the problems of the future.”
The GWAMA Robotics Team’s participation in the local competition showcased the program’s success in inspiring young minds in STEM and preparing them for future careers in technology and engineering.
Call to Action:
If you are interested in learning more about the GWAMA Robotics Team or the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy, please visit our website or contact us today.