The Westerville Wild Warbots will host a Robotics Showcase at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, at Westerville Central High School, which is located at 7118 Mt. Royal Avenue. Community members are invited to attend and celebrate the ingenuity, dedication, and creative spirit of students who are anxious to showcase the fruits of their labor.
This is everyone’s chance to see these pupils – and their robot – in action. The Wild Warbots, Westerville’s high school robotics team, recently competed at the Buckeye and Queen City FIRST Robotics Regional Competitions. For this, the students built and programmed a robot to complete the challenge that required it to maneuver a playing field, and catch, pass and shoot large exercise balls.
The 120-pound collection of motors, drums, batteries, wiring, welded metal frame, and a computerized control system competed in this year’s challenge. Along with Westerville teachers and administrators, middle and high school students and their families are invited to come and learn about the team and the opportunities that are available as part of the team. Refreshments will be served and visitors will have the chance to operate the robot as well.
Along with math and science skills, the students also learn about business and management. These are all part of the goals of the FIRST Robotics initiative. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. Its mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
The Westerville Wild Warbots is an important program that allows students to put their classroom learning into practical, applicable settings. And they need your support. They are always looking for mentors, advisors, and any other contributions.
If you have any questions about the showcase and the team, or wish to learn more about how to contribute to the program, please contact Leslie Baumann at baumannl@wcs.oh.org or call 614/805-4586.