Metro Charter Academy Robotics Competition Team: Blazin’ Bots Ignite Innovation and Teamwork

The Blazin’ Bots: A Force of Ingenuity and Passion in the Robotics Arena

At Metro Charter Academy, nestled in the heart of a vibrant educational landscape, a dynamic collective of fifth through eighth-grade students is making waves in the captivating world of robotics. Known as the Blazin’ Bots, this team of young innovators embodies the essence of creativity, perseverance, and teamwork as they delve into the intricacies of robotics competitions. With a shared passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), these students embark on an extraordinary journey of discovery, leaving an indelible mark on the competitive robotics landscape.

Blazing a Trail of Success: Achievements and Accolades

This year, the Blazin’ Bots reached new heights of success, etching their name among the elite in the realm of robotics competitions. Their remarkable achievements include securing a coveted spot at the esteemed 2023 Michigan FIRST Tech Challenge – State Championship Southeast competition. This prestigious event showcased their exceptional skills and unwavering dedication, culminating in a well-deserved Robotics Motivational Award. Additionally, the team proudly claimed the first runner-up position for the Inspire Award and second runner-up for the Think and Innovate awards.

Their journey to the state championship was marked by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence. At the 2023 Michigan FIRST Tech Challenge held at Macomb Community College in Warren, the Blazin’ Bots showcased their exceptional abilities, securing a commendable 33rd position out of 36 formidable teams. While they narrowly missed a higher ranking, the team’s enthusiasm and unwavering spirit remained undiminished.

Reflecting on the Journey: A Tapestry of Perseverance and Camaraderie

“It was an incredibly exhilarating experience,” exclaimed Jacob Knox, a seventh grader on the team. “Qualifying for state was a major milestone for us, and the excitement was palpable.”

The Blazin’ Bots’ success is a testament to the unwavering support and guidance provided by their dedicated coaches: Heather Smith-Elliott, Metro Academy K-8 art teacher; Madi Wojtkowski, Metro Academy kindergarten teacher; and assistant coach Travis Griffin, Sr. These mentors have played a pivotal role in fostering a culture of innovation, teamwork, and resilience within the team.

“This was our first time ever making it to state, so we were thrilled with that,” expressed Smith-Elliott, reflecting on the team’s remarkable achievement.

Igniting a Passion for STEM: The Blazin’ Bots’ Impact

Robotics teams serve as a catalyst for igniting a passion for STEM fields among young minds. Through hands-on experience, team members deepen their understanding of technical concepts, develop critical problem-solving skills, and cultivate effective teamwork and communication abilities – all while fostering a love for learning.

Wojtkowski passionately emphasized, “Heather and I strive to provide our students with ample hands-on experience, empowering them to take ownership and responsibility. Their hard work and dedication earned them a spot at the state competition. We empower them to design, build, and code their robots, taking a step back and letting them take the lead. It’s the students who are driving this success.”

Smith-Elliott wholeheartedly agreed, stating, “As coaches, our primary role is to create a supportive environment, provide resources, and guide them along the way. The students are the driving force behind their achievements.”

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Collaborative Spirit

The Blazin’ Bots actively participate in various robotics competitions, including the FIRST Tech Challenge. These competitions provide an exceptional platform for the team to showcase their creativity, innovation, and technical prowess as they skillfully navigate challenging tasks and obstacles.

Throughout the year, the team devoted countless hours on Saturday mornings brainstorming ideas, refining their robots, and honing their skills to meet the competitive requirements. The team thrives on the collaborative spirit, with each member contributing unique strengths to ensure the overall success of their projects.

FIRST Tech Challenge students are tasked with designing, building, and coding robots to engage in collaborative competitions against other teams. These robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using various levels of Java-based programming.

The game element consists of red and blue plastic cones, and the game is played on a 12-foot square playing field. Points are accumulated by strategically placing the cones in designated locations at ground, low, medium, and high heights. Teams progressively earn higher points during each two-minute, 30-second match.

Smith-Elliott provided further insights into the competitive aspect, stating, “Competition is multilevel. The robots the team builds and designs earn points when driven or performing as designed. The other aspect is presenting information about your team to judges and answering their interview questions. When demonstrating the robot, if things malfunction, the students must adapt and move forward.”

The Allure of Coding and Overcoming Obstacles

Seventh-grader Israel Gbogboage, the team’s head programmer, driver, and designer, expressed his enthusiasm for learning to code, saying, “I love writing the programs and making the robot do stuff. Before joining robotics, I participated in Code.org, a program that really helped me learn how to code for our robot. But it took a lot of trial and error to get the programming to work on our robot.”

Code.org is a non-profit organization and educational website specifically designed for K-12 students. The website offers free coding lessons, sounds, and various resources to help students develop coding fluency.

Through the trial and error process mentioned by Gbogboage, the team successfully programmed the robot to move forward and backward, left to right, turn left and right, open its claw, and launch a paper airplane. They modified the previous year’s robot to enhance its gripping ability. Using a rubber dish glove attached with staples, the team improved the robot’s ability to grasp objects.

When something doesn’t work as intended, they go back and try again.

“It can be frustrating when something goes wrong, and then you have to go back and put in new pieces or tighten loose screws or think of a different way,” said seventh grader Travis Griffin Jr., who serves as a builder, driver, and programmer.

Friendship and Socialization: A Welcomed Bonus

In addition to the immense benefit of acquiring new skills, students emphasized that robotics offers them a valuable opportunity to make new friends.

“It’s fun doing the robotics and working with the people on the team. We’ve been through a lot, and we’re doing great as a team,” said eighth grader Sean Johnson, who serves as the team’s video creator, publicity, and merchandising member.

Jacob Knox wholeheartedly agreed, stating, “It’s a fun thing. We get to build upon our skills, like coding, and get to socialize a lot.”

Blazin’ Bots: Team Members and Future Aspirations

The dedicated members of the Blazin’ Bots include:

8th Grade

– Kelenna Uche
– Sean Johnson
– Lawrence Jones
– TaRod Strickland

7th Grade

– Israel Gbogboade
– Charles Kimbrough
– Ethan Orr
– Rondell Black
– Travis Griffin Jr.
– Christopher Dixon
– Lloyd Holt
– Jacob Knox
– Kalen Colbert
– Joshua Smith

6th Grade

– Yemi Gbogboade

5th Grade

– Tevin Wiliams-Jones
– Dakota Davis

After their thrilling experience at the state-level competition, the Blazin’ Bots are now focused on preparing for another competition this spring. They dream of a second chance at the state contest, or, for the eighth graders, preparing for the opportunity to compete in high school and beyond.

Call to Action: Join the Blazin’ Bots and Unleash Your Potential

The Blazin’ Bots extend an invitation to students who share their passion for STEM and robotics to join their dynamic team. If you’re a student in grades 5-8 with a curious mind, a creative spirit, and a desire to make a difference, the Blazin’ Bots welcome you to join their ranks. Together, you’ll embark on an extraordinary journey of discovery, innovation, and teamwork, leaving an indelible mark on the world of robotics. Contact Metro Charter Academy for more information and to become a part of this extraordinary team.